October 11, 2006 – Could it be that your looks are influencing the way a doctor will treat you? Without answering the question directly, researchers in Northern Ireland say that the more financially comfortable a patient looks, the more attractive they would be to doctors.
From a sample of photographs showing the faces, sometimes smiling, sometimes serious, of 300 patients aged 50 on average, the researchers submitted around sixty images to 30 general practitioners. The goal: to measure their attractiveness for each of the photos presented to them.
In general, both male and female physicians found people whose looks suggested a certain financial well-being more attractive. This effect was slightly more pronounced among general practitioners working in disadvantaged settings.
Younger-looking patients also garnered more sympathy from physicians. The same is true for women compared to men, as are people who are smiling compared to those who do not smile.
In this regard, the authors of the study argue that besides the general appearance, many factors can also influence the perception that a doctor may have of his patient when presenting himself in his office such as the attitude, l intonation of his voice or the degree of his general knowledge.
If they refrain from asserting that a patient looking richer is better treated than a penniless patient, the researchers consider “balanced” to conclude that this aspect can influence the course of the meeting between a patient. and his doctor.
They also cite other studies according to which poor people benefit from shorter consultations, receive less information and are less likely to be referred to specialists than the better-off.
Martin LaSalle – PasseportSanté.net
According to BBC.
1. O’Reilly D, Steele K, et al. Might how you look influence how well you are looked after? A study which demonstrates that GPs perceive socio-economic gradients in attractiveness, J Health Serv Res Policy, October 2006, Vol. 11, No 4, 231-4.
