Exploring gender differences in patient engagement: a scoping review

Andrea Poliani, Giulia Villa, Ilaria Marcomini, Giuliana Bartolotta, Samantha Grimaldi, Duilio F. Manara, Debora Rosa

Abstract. Introduction. Patient-centered healthcare emphasizes patient engagement as a critical factor in improving outcomes. Despite gender’s impact on healthcare, genderspecific dimensions of engagement remain underexplored. Objective. To explore, map, and synthesize gender differences in patient engagement, providing an in-depth analysis of the most effective tools for enhancing engagement. Methods. A scoping review was conducted following JBI guidelines and the PRISMA-ScR checklist. Two authors searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, and Scopus independently using a blinded selection process. Results. This review included five studies, which explored engagement tools across gender differences and identified effective strategies. Mobile health interventions with structured tasks and therapist support enhanced engagement among women by promoting accountability, while gamified interventions promoting participation through competition and social interaction improved engagement among men. Peerled, gender-affirming programs tailored to transgender women improved engagement by addressing stigma and identity needs. Text messaging interventions promoted high engagement across genders and supported long-term behavior change. Conclusions. Engagement levels vary by gender and are influenced by education and age. Further research is needed to determine the most effective engagement tool, as the included studies used different outcome measures and lacked validated scales, preventing direct comparisons.