New Study Challenges Gender Preferences in Telemedicine Satisfaction

A groundbreaking study from the Goa Institute of Management has revealed that the traditional belief that patients prefer doctors of the same gender may not hold true in telemedicine. Analyzing over 286,000 teleconsultation records, researchers found that gender concordance could actually decrease patient satisfaction. The study highlights the importance of communication and empathy, particularly among male patients treated by female doctors. While gender matching remains significant in intimate health specialties, the overall quality of interaction emerged as the key factor influencing patient experiences. These insights could reshape telehealth platform designs in culturally diverse settings like India.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 8, 2026, 19:09 IST

Exploring Gender Dynamics in Virtual Healthcare

Research has long indicated that patients tend to prefer treatment from doctors of the same gender in traditional healthcare settings. However, a recent study conducted by the Goa Institute of Management (GIM) presents a different perspective within the realm of telemedicine. This research, published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, analyzed an extensive dataset comprising 286,196 anonymized teleconsultation records from a nationwide telemedicine provider, covering a period from January 2023 to December 2024. This study is one of the largest examinations of gender dynamics in digital healthcare within the Global South.

Key Findings of the Research

The study reveals that pairing patients with doctors of the same gender during virtual consultations may actually lead to lower patient satisfaction, contradicting previous findings from in-person clinical environments. Nafisa Vaz, an Assistant Professor at GIM, stated, “While gender concordance has traditionally been linked to trust and satisfaction in face-to-face care, it has not been previously studied in telemedicine in India.”

Out of the nearly 290,000 consultations reviewed, 60.4% involved gender concordance, meaning both the doctor and patient shared the same gender. Despite this, overall satisfaction remained high, with 91.3% of patients reporting a positive experience. However, statistical analysis indicated a significant negative correlation between gender concordance and patient satisfaction in virtual consultations.

Insights from Researchers

The researchers noted an “expectation-surprise” effect, especially among male patients, who expressed greater satisfaction when treated by female doctors. This was attributed to perceptions of enhanced communication and empathy. Nevertheless, the findings varied across different medical specialties. In areas concerning intimate health, such as gynecology, gender matching still held importance. Female patients consulting female gynecologists were found to be 4.5 times more likely to report successful clinical recovery. The study also indicated that factors like consultation timing, duration, and physician experience did not significantly affect satisfaction levels. Instead, the quality of interaction between doctor and patient emerged as the most crucial factor influencing recovery and overall experience.

The researchers emphasize that these findings should guide the design of telehealth platforms in culturally diverse healthcare settings like India. Vaz remarked, “Patient autonomy needs to be incorporated into telehealth platform design.” She further noted that while gender concordance may be essential in close-contact specialties like gynecology or urology, a more flexible approach to doctor assignments could be beneficial in general medicine. “Digital health cannot be culturally neutral. In India, gender dynamics influence virtual care in intricate, specialty-dependent ways, and platform design must reflect that reality,” Vaz concluded.