Gendered Differences in Consent and Brochures for Permanent Birth Control

Authors

Caleb Ayers, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Arika L. Hoffman, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Jenenne A. Geske, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow

Files

Abstract or Description

Background

Gendered differences have been documented for many healthcare outcomes. One cause of such differences is gendered differences in language, which has been documented in many fields. The difference in language used to describe permanent birth control to women (tubal ligation) versus men (vasectomy) has not been studied.

Objectives

To analyze consent forms and brochures for female and male permanent sterilization for gendered differences in language.

Methods

A convenience sample of consent forms and brochures was obtained and analyzed for differences in the emphasis on various subject matter.

Results

Physiologic explanations and insurance and/or cost was discussed more in documents for men. Side effects, patient autonomy, permanence, children/family, reversible birth control, and mental competence were discussed more in documents for women.

Conclusion

Most findings were not statistically significant due to small sample size. However, the trends suggest that stereotypes of men being more logical and financially stable are ingrained in the documents and that more deterrent language is used in the documents for women.

Publication Date

2021

Disciplines

Medical Education

Recommended Citation

Ayers, Caleb; Hoffman, Arika L.; and Geske, Jenenne A., "Gendered Differences in Consent and Brochures for Permanent Birth Control" (2021). EMET Projects. 11.
https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/emet_posters/11