The Influence of Attitudes Toward Male and Female Patients on Treatment Decisions in General Practice

Twenty-three physicians in general practice inthe southwest region of Great Britain completedchecklists on all patients consulted over approximatelysix of their consecutive daily surgeries. Twenty-two of the physicians were British Caucasian andone was of African decent. Data concerning patientgender, attitude toward the patient, and treatmentdecision for 115 consultations featuring psychological presentations were analyzed. Results indicatedthat, taken separately, patient gender and generalpractitioner attitudes did not predict treatmentdecisions. However, a significant interaction betweenthese variables showed that attitudes haddifferential effects on treatment decisions made formale and female patients. These findings are interpretedwithin a social cognition framework.