Assertiveness with Physicians Is Related to Women's Perceived Roles in the Medical Encounter

Women's self-reported assertiveness with their healthcare providers is associated with their use of cancer screening. Women who report repeating information when they feel their doctors did not hear them, asking their doctors to explain information they do not understand, or reminding their doctors about screening tests, are more likely to receive mammograms than those who report using these assertive behaviors less often. In this study, we examined women's beliefs about their role in medical encounters with their physicians and their use of assertive behaviors, in a convenience sample of 136 women receiving care at an ultrasound clinic for reasons other than pregnancy. We found that women who behaved assertively were more likely to view physicians as advisors to them in their health care and less likely to view their physicians as experts. Data are also presented on the development of a scale designed to assess assertiveness with physicians for use in studies of medical care.