Do male urologists and oncologists avoid referring patients to female doctors? What do you think?

[Darryl]

Of course, there are exceptions, and, I'm sure many of you have examples of male doctors referring you to female doctors. But, I have received an unusual number of phone calls from people who read about the Prostate Cancer Patient Conference presenting an all-female faculty. It seems I have underestimated the degree of sexism that continues in oncology. And, the lead article in the American Society of Clinical Oncology during the 2019 annual meeting says a similar thing, too. Even more, reason to attend the conference. Sign up at prostatecancerconference.org

[Tall_Allen]

I've never run into this. Many of the top prostate cancer oncologists are women (e.g., Celestia Higano, Maha Hussain, Tanya Dorff, etc.). I did have one patient say that he would have a problem with a gay urologist.

[dentaltwin in reply to Tall_Allen]

Just a guess here--surgery seems more male-dominated than oncology.

[Tall_Allen in reply to dentaltwin]

In fact, I can't recall a single female prostate surgeon.

[dentaltwin in reply to Tall_Allen]

They may be out there, but neither can I.

[Hidden]

I don't think male doctors avoid referring a patient to female doctors. I do think however that in large teaching hospitals a male doctor might associate more with other male doctors "after hours" while going through fellowships, leading to male to male referrals. My MO is a woman and when she referred me to radiology oncology ,(no one specific) radiology assigned me an oncologist. Personally speaking, wild horses couldn't drag me away from my MO.

[Magnus1964]

I suppose many Male patients would be hesitant discussing urinary problems with a woman. However my research doctor referred me to a female hematologist.

[j-o-h-n]

Male/Female = Gender Neutral

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 09/04/2019 2:24 PM DST - Pinnes

Reply

[monte1111 in reply to j-o-h-n]

I did watch to see which bathroom my MO walked into.

[j-o-h-n in reply to monte1111]

It doesn't matter which one.... It's all for one and one for all...

It really is funny watching a female using a urinal, they have to use it backwards....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Saturday 09/07/2019 11:14 PM DST

[michael00]

As a patient I don't care who treats me as long as they know what they are doing, take time to listen and can take disagreement if i question them.

[Stegosaurus37]

I don't think I ever really noticed. I've been more concerned with my disease. However, the urologist that did my TURP (and did a magnificent job) was female. I've seen three different oncologists in the last two weeks (at OHSU, the VA and Samaritan Health) and they've all been women. Maybe reverse sexism?

[Hidden]

Never a consideration. Male or female, it doesn’t matter.

GD

[BAZZAD1953]

I seen a female urologist registrar and she fought my ground for me in their MDT meeting and arranged for me to have an NPMRI Scan which showed my little tumour in 2012 has grown to over 2cm’s now!

I’m now been booked up to have a full Prostectomy by Mr DaVinci in October.

It doesn’t matter whether is male or female, if you’ve got cancer you need to get it out ASAP who ever does it!

Regards

Barry

[leo2634]

Makes not a bit of difference if they are qualified and have the intelligence to treat me with the latest tools to fight the Beast either gender is welcome. Never give up never surrender. Leo

[j-o-h-n]

Unfortunately women doctors have shorter fingers than men and it matters in DRE's.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Saturday 09/07/2019 11:17 PM DST

[whatsinaname in reply to j-o-h-n]

They also have big nails

[j-o-h-n in reply to whatsinaname]

Yeppers Peppers..... Fortunately my long lost prostate was never itchy....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Saturday 09/07/2019 11:25 PM DST

[whatsinaname]

Everything thing else being equal, I would rather be treated by a male doctor for my prostate problems. Very very rarely are things equal, though.

[Hidden]

Dr Mayo. MD Anderson radiologist. Have a couple of guys in my group getting radiation that had Dr Mayo and think she is top notch.