my female-heavy schedule

on any given day, the bulk of my schedule is filled with women with maybe two or three men thrown in for variety.  i didn't do anything to make it that way.  it just is.  women often tell me they chose me because i am female.  they specifically want a female provider. i think what they really want are qualities they belive they are more likely to come by in a female.  they are using gender as a surrogate marker, much like we use LDL levels as a surrogate for cardiovascular risk.  we have to make decisions somehow.

that's okay with me.  i like women. we get along just fine.  but what i really like is to see their husbands, boyfriends or significant others show up on my schedule a few months later.  now that's a compliment!  what usually happens is this.  i meet the new patient.  as we get to know each other, they see that i am a caring doctor, they feel comfortable with me.  so they bring their partner to their next visit.  it's nothing formal but i know they are checking things out. next thing you know, they are on my schedule as a new patient!  voila!  sometimes i am the first female doctor they've had, other times not.  in the end though, gender seems to have little to do with our relationship.   i think that is the point i am trying to make -- in the end it is more about the relationship we build, then our gender.  what do you think?