Hiv/aids patients' preferences regarding physician gender, sexual orientation, and race/ethnicity

This study explored HIV-positive patients' preferences and beliefs about physician gender, sexual orientation, and race/ethnicity. In-depth interviews were conducted with 28 HIV-positive patients, including 15 men and 13 women. Results showed that over half (54%) of respondents had a preference regarding physician gender. Of these respondents, 60% (six women and three men) preferred to have women as their providers. Forty-three percent of respondents had a preference regarding physician sexual orientation. Of these eight men and four women, most (75%) stated that they preferred to see a homosexual health care professional as compared to a heterosexual one. Fewer respondents (18%) had a preference regarding physician race/ethnicity; however, all of those who had a preference regarding physician race/ethnicity stated that they preferred to see Caucasian physicians. Results suggest that physician gender, sexual orientation, and race/ethnicity are not neutral characteristics in the health care setting. Rather, these are dynamic variables that may have important implications for physician-patient relationships in HIV/AIDS care. Patients are most apt to receive optimal health care when they are able to find a physician with the sociodemographic characteristics that they prefer.