Epidemiological study on gender bias and low-value practices in primary care: a study protocol

Abstract

IntroductionEvidence shows that gender has a substantial impact on health behaviours, access to and use of health systems and health system responses. This study aims to assess gender bias in patients subjected to low-value practices in the primary care setting and to develop recommendations for reducing adverse events that women experience for this reason.Methods and analysisA Delphi study will be performed to reach a consensus on the ‘Do Not Do’ recommendations with a possible gender bias. A retrospective cohort study in a random selection of medical records will then be carried out to identify the frequency of adverse events that occur when the selected ‘Do Not Do’ recommendations are ignored. Qualitative research techniques (consensus conference and nominal group) will be carried out to develop recommendations to address any gender bias detected, considering barriers and facilitators in clinical practice.Ethics and disseminationThe study was approved by the ethics committee of San Juan de Alicante Hospital (San Juan de Alicante, Spain) Reference N. 21/061. We will disseminate the research findings via peer-reviewed articles, presentations at national and international scientific forums and webinars.Trial registration numberThe study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05233852) on 10 February 2022.

Gender Disparities in Adverse Events Resulting From Low-Value Practices in Family Practice in Spain: A Retrospective Cohort Study

“…The STROBE checklist was used as a guide for reporting the study [ 22 ]. The study protocol was published first [ 23 ].…”

Identification of low-value practices susceptible to gender bias in primary care setting

“…This study is part of the OVERGEND Project, which was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05233852) on February 10, 2022. The study protocol was approved by the corresponding institutional review board and published elsewhere [16]. The second round to achieve consensus was conducted using an open-ended questionnaire administered to the most expert participants given the high degree of consensus in acceptances and rejections during the first round.…”