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Male Athletes Prefer Female Team Physicians

Date:
April 27, 2007
Source:
University of Alberta
Summary:
Many studies in coaching literature have found that male athletes tend to prefer a male coach. Newly released research from the University of Alberta has indicated that male athletes actually prefer a female team physician to attend to their medical issues, including those related to sexual health.
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Many studies in coaching literature have found that male athletes tend to prefer a male coach. Newly released research from the University of Alberta has indicated that male athletes actually prefer a female team physician to attend to their medical issues, including those related to sexual health.

"What we found is that male athletes tend to feel that female team physicians are more caring and sympathetic towards their medical issues and are easier to talk to," said University of Alberta researcher Dr. Marni Wesner. "It appears that it is the stereotypical 'mothering' or nurturing aspect of a female personality that male athletes appreciate."

Other personal attributes of importance to athletes included the team physician's concern for them as people and athletes, as well as being understanding and respectful. Good listening and communication skills from the team physician were also paramount, as was having compassion towards the athlete. Trust, sensitivity and understanding were important, as was having a positive, encouraging and open-minded attitude towards the athlete with a professional approach and a willingness to help.

"While the gender of a physician played a role in an athlete's preference for the gender of their team physician, we found that athletes were mainly concerned in the physician's level of experience, education and medical qualifications," said Dr. Wesner.

For this study, Wesner and Vallance analyzed a combination of questionnaires and interviews from a variety of University of Alberta varsity athletes during the 2002-2003 season.


Story Source:

Materials provided by University of Alberta. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Cite This Page:

University of Alberta. "Male Athletes Prefer Female Team Physicians." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 27 April 2007. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070426150300.htm>.
University of Alberta. (2007, April 27). Male Athletes Prefer Female Team Physicians. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070426150300.htm
University of Alberta. "Male Athletes Prefer Female Team Physicians." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070426150300.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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