Clin Endosc.  2018 Jan;51(1):72-79. 10.5946/ce.2017.057.

Is There a Change in Patient Preference for a Female Colonoscopist during the Last Decade in Korea?

• Lee JM
• Kim ES
• Chun HJ
• Yoo IK
• Lee JM
• Kim SH
• Choi HS
• Keum B
• Seo YS
• Lee HS
• Jeen YT
• Park JJ
• Lee SW
• Um SH
• Kim CD

• KMID: 2403636
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5946/ce.2017.057

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
Patients may feel embarrassed during colonoscopy. Our study aimed to assess changes in patient preference, over the past decade, for the sex of their colonoscopist.
METHODS
Prospective studies were performed at a single health center from July to September 2008, and from July to September 2016. Subjects included colonoscopy patients (2008: 354, 2016: 304) who were asked to complete a questionnaire before colonoscopy.
RESULTS
In 2016, 69 patients (24.9%) expressed a sex preference, compared with 46 patients (14.6%) in 2008. By 2016, female patient preference for a female colonoscopist had significantly increased to 95% (odds ratio [OR], 2.678; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.418- 5.057; P=0.002). In multivariate analysis, patient sex (OR, 4.404; P=0.000), patient age (OR, 0.977; 95% CI, 0.961-0.992; P=0.004), and year of procedure (OR, 1.674; 95% CI, 1.028-2.752) were statistically significant factors in sex preference. Between 2008 and 2016, female patients preferred a female colonoscopist because of embarrassment. Male patients also preferred a male colonoscopist, and the primary reason shifted from expertise to patient embarrassment (2008: 29%, 2016: 63%).
CONCLUSIONS
Patients have an increased gender preference for the colonoscopist because of embarrassment. Taking this into account can increase patient satisfaction during colonoscopy.

Keyword

Colonoscopist; Embarrassment; Sex preference

MeSH Terms

Colonoscopy
Female*
Humans
Korea*
Male
Multivariate Analysis
Patient Preference*
Patient Satisfaction
Prospective Studies

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Assembly of the study population.

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  Fig. 2. Patient preference with regard to the sex of their colonoscopist.

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  Fig. 3. (A) Relationship between age and sex preference. (B) Relationship between educational level and sex preference.

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  Fig. 4. Reasons for sex preference.

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  Fig. 5. Intensity of sex preference: if the patient stated a preference for the sex of their colonoscopist, how much time would they wait for colonoscopy?

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