Maintaining gender sensitivity in the family practice: Facilitators and barriers

Objective This study aims to identify the facilitators and barriers perceived by General Practitioners (GPs) to maintain a gender perspective in family practice. Methods Nine semi-structured interviews were conducted among nine pairs of GPs. The data were analysed by means of deductive content analysis using theory-based methods to generate facilitators and barriers to gender sensitivity. Results Gender sensitivity in family practice can be influenced by several factors which ultimately determine the extent to which a gender sensitive approach is satisfactorily practiced by GPs in the doctor-patient relationship. Gender awareness, repetition and reminders, motivation triggers and professional guidelines were found to facilitate gender sensitivity. On the other hand, lacking skills and routines, scepticism, heavy workload and the timing of implementation were found to be barriers to gender sensitivity. Conclusion While the potential effect of each factor affecting gender sensitivity in family practice has been elucidated, the effects of the interplay between these factors still need to be determined.