SOCIAL ROLES AND THE USE OF PHYSICIAN SERVICES: A COMPARISON OF MEN AND WOMEN

LYNNE E LONNQUIST, Purdue University

Abstract

Most recent studies examining the relationship between gender and the use of physician services report greater use by women even after pregnancy-related use is controlled. However, these differences are generally found to be much greater for use of preventive services than for illness-related use. This research examines the relationship between gender and use of both types of physician utilization. Many factors have been suggested as possible explanations for gender differences in physician use. This study focuses on the possibility that these differences may relate to the relative convenience and accessibility of medical services for men and women which, in turn, are a consequence of competing role obligations. Women have traditionally assumed roles which allow more time and greater flexibility and have thus found physician services easier to obtain. This has not traditionally been true for men who have been more likely tied to inflexible schedules, primarily as a result of employment outside the home. The study uses data from a national household survey conducted in 1976 by the Center for Health Administration Studies and the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. Using logit analysis, models are developed to examine the consequences of time constraints and inflexibility of schedules, imposed by obligations associated with family and employment-related roles on the use of physician services in response to illness and for preventive care. Women see physicians more than men for both symptoms of illness and preventive care. However, these gender differences are much grater for preventive than for illness-related use. The effect of role is found to be additive rather than multiplicative. Being married is a very important factor, increasing the use of services for both types of use. On the other hand, being a parent and being employed each reduce illness-related visits for both men and women as well as preventive use for men. However, parental status has little effect on the use of preventive services by women while being employed increases use slightly.

Degree

Ph.D.

Subject Area

Health

COinS