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Physician gender differences in general and cancer-specific prevention attitudes and practices

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Abstract

Background. Findings are inconsistent regarding physician gender differences in general prevention practices and cancer-specific attitudes and practices. Methods. We analyzed cross-sectional data from randomly selected physicians (N-722) to test associations of gender with prevention practices and attitudes. Results. Chi-square analyses (P<.05) showed gender differences for 14% (7/49) of the general and cancer-specific practices and attitudes tested. Multivariate analyses revealed that gender significantly (P<.05) predicted general prevention practices and cancer-specific attitudes in 4 models. Female gender predicted discussion of physical activity, violence, and use of substances. Male gender predicted belief in effectiveness of prostate-specific antigen screening. Conclusions. Overall, male and female physicians showed more similarities than differences, but physician gender was associated with a number of important general and cancer-specific prevention services. Female physicians were more likely to discuss general health prevention activities than male physicians, especially issues considered sensitive. We discuss implications for research and education.

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Author notes

  1. Amelie G. Ramirez DRPH

    Present address: Institute for Health Promotion Research, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The University of TExas Health Science Center, 8207 Callaghan Road, Suite 353, 78230, San Antonio, TX

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Health Promotion Research, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The University of TExas Health Science Center, 8207 Callaghan Road, Suite 353, 78230, San Antonio, TX

    Kimberly A. Wildes DRPH, MA

  2. Center on Aging in Diverse Communities, University of California, San Francisco

    Anna Nápoles-Springer PHD, MPH

  3. University of California, San Francisco

    Eliseo Pérez-Stable MD

  4. San Diego State University, San Diego, CA

    Greg Talavera MD, MPH

  5. National Hispanic Medical Association, Washington, DC

    Elena Rios MD

Authors
  1. Amelie G. Ramirez DRPH
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  2. Kimberly A. Wildes DRPH, MA
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  3. Anna Nápoles-Springer PHD, MPH
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  4. Eliseo Pérez-Stable MD
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  5. Greg Talavera MD, MPH
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  6. Elena Rios MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Amelie G. Ramirez DRPH.

Additional information

Supported by a grant from the National Cancer Institute, Redes En Acción, U01-CA86117 and Grant No. P30-AG15272 under the Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research program of the National Institute on Aging, the National Institute of Nursing Research, and the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health.

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Ramirez, A.G., Wildes, K.A., Nápoles-Springer, A. et al. Physician gender differences in general and cancer-specific prevention attitudes and practices. J Canc Educ 24, 85–93 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1080/08858190802664396

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08858190802664396

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