Purpose
Perceptions of underserved opinions are influenced by various factors, including gender. Previous studies suggest that distinct societal expectations for males and females can shape how they interpret and respond to social issues. Furthermore, gendered experiences, such as differing levels of empathy or exposure to marginalized groups, may contribute to variations in individuals’ attitudes toward underserved populations. Understanding gender-based differences in medical students’ perceptions of underserved populations is crucial for addressing potential biases among future healthcare professionals. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate how gender influences perceptions of underserved opinions among medical students.

Methods
Data were collected from a sample of 147 fourth-year medical students (80 males and 67 females) who were surveyed to assess their perceptions towards underserved populations. The data were analyzed using a t-test to compare the mean perception scores between males and females. Scores ranged from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating more positive perceptions.

Results
On average, male perceptions of underserved populations (x=3.63, SD=0.53) are 6.0% lower (t = -3.46, p = 0.0007) than female perceptions of underserved populations x?=3.93, SD=0.50).

Conclusions
According to these results, medical students’ gender influences their attitudes towards underserved populations, with females displaying a more favorable perception compared to males. However, while the gender-based difference in perception is statistically significant, the actual difference of 6.0% may indicate limited applicability to practical settings. Nonetheless, the findings suggest that gender-based differences in perception of underserved populations do exist; thus, further research is needed to explore the underlying reasons for these variations and their potential impact on biases in healthcare practices.