The relationship between decision making and gender roles of students studying in healthcare fields

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the relationship between decision making and gender roles of students studying in healthcare fields. Design and Methods: The sample of the study consisted of 357 students studying in healthcare fields of a university. The data were collected using the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire and the Gender Roles Attitudes Scale (GRAS). Findings: Students' self‐esteem mean score was 9.41 ± 1.91 and the total GRAS mean score was 107.57 ± 13.54. There was a statistically significant difference between GRAS, buck‐passing, and hypervigilance subscales mean scores according to students' departments (p < 0.05). Self‐esteem and vigilance mean scores of students were high and they had egalitarian attitudes toward gender roles. Practice Implications: The attitudes of health professionals are important in ensuring the participation of patients in their care and treatment decisions.