Physiotherapist’s Sex Preferences Among Patients: Findings from A Cross-Sectional Survey

This cross-sectional study explored patient preferences regarding physiotherapist gender across age groups and sexes to develop a framework for gender-specific physiotherapy. Data were collected through an online questionnaire via Google Forms in June-July 2023 on a university campus. Of 450 questionnaires distributed, 413 were returned and analyzed. Results indicated gender preferences were not significantly associated with age, marital status, or income (p = 0.56). However, a notable preference was observed among female patients, with 58.1% favouring female physiotherapists. Male patients showed a balanced preference: 28.4% preferred male physiotherapists, while 23.9% preferred female ones (p < 0.001). Educational level significantly influenced gender preferences (p = 0.022), with less educated patients preferring female physiotherapists. This research highlights the importance of considering patient preferences in physiotherapy settings to enhance treatment outcomes. Incorporating gender-sensitive methodologies may lead to more effective and personalized physiotherapy care.