Gender, ethnicity, and physician–patient communication about depression and anxiety in primary care

The influence of patient gender and ethnicity on physician-patient communication about depression and anxiety was described and female physicians were more likely to counsel patients than male physicians.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the influence of patient gender and ethnicity on physician-patient communication about depression and anxiety. A data set comprised of audiotapes and transcripts of 383 patients' primary care visits was analyzed. Depression was brought up during 25% of medical visits. Depression was more likely to be brought up during the visits of patients who rated their emotional health poorly. Female patients and more educated patients were more likely to initiate the discussion. Anxiety was brought up during 29.5% of medical visits. Anxiety was more likely to be brought up during family practice visits and during visits with Asian physicians. Physicians were more likely to ask male patients and patients who had fewer previous visits closed-ended questions about anxiety. Physicians were more likely to ask Hispanic patients and patients who rated their emotional health poorly one or more open-ended questions about anxiety. Female physicians were more likely to counsel patients than male physicians.