Impact of an All-Female Surgical Team on Moroccan Patient Perspectives of Female Healthcare Providers

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Increasing numbers of women in medicine could address Morocco’s 5.5-fold deficit in surgical providers. Cultural perceptions towards women limit female advancement in healthcare. This study evaluates the impact of an all-female surgical team on Moroccan attitudes. Objective This study aimed to evaluate how attitudes towards female healthcare professionals changed for Moroccan patients after exposure to a unique, all-female medical environment. Methods Cleft patients were surveyed after a surgery mission with all-female volunteers in Oujda, Morocco. Analysis included quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches. Results Of 121 respondents (94%), 85% and 77% had prior exposure to a female nurse or doctor, respectively. 94% of respondents strongly agreed to receiving high-quality care. 75% developed increased confidence in female providers. 68% and 69% of respondents, regardless of gender (p = 0.950), felt that having a female nurse or doctor did not impact care. Female patients were more likely than male patients to strongly encourage female relatives to pursue medical careers (p = 0.027). Respondents without prior exposure to female nurses were more likely to: pursue medical careers (p = 0.034), believe female relatives could pursue medical careers (p = 0.006), and encourage them to do so (p = 0.011). Conclusions Increased visibility of women improved patient attitudes towards female providers, especially in patients without prior exposure. Initiatives that increase female representation in healthcare may have greater effects in cultures with more gender inequity.