Patient Preferences for Gender of Doctor in General Practice
Author Information
Author(s): Lillestøl Jostein, Ubøe Jan, Rønsen Yngve, Hjortdahl Per
Primary Institution: The Norwegian School of Economics, Bergen, Norway
Hypothesis
To what extent can we expect that preferences for the gender of doctors are fulfilled when patients compete for entry on the lists of practitioners?
Conclusion
The study provides insights into how the allocation of doctors to patients based on gender preferences can change as the number of available female doctors increases.
Supporting Evidence
- The number of patients wanting a doctor of the underrepresented gender is less important than the strength of their preferences.
- With few female doctors, the fraction of female patients among them will be approximately 56%.
- As the fraction of female doctors increases, the fraction of female patients among both female and male doctors decreases.
Takeaway
This study looks at how many patients get the doctor they want based on gender, especially when there aren't enough female doctors.
Methodology
The analysis was conducted using a gravity model and theories of benefit efficient population behavior.
Limitations
The model does not account for individual patient actions or the dynamic allocation process.
Participant Demographics
The study assumes a population with equal numbers of male and female patients.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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