An investigation of resident physician socio-demographic characteristics and how they may interact with patient socio-demographic characteristics to influence satisfaction was done. Physician characteristics of gender, age, marital and parental status, ethnic background, level of training and demonstrated cognitive skills, was compared with similar patient socio-demographics, to ascertain if a patient's preconceived images of who a physician is, rather than what a physician does will impact significantly upon patient satisfaction outcome. Results suggest that patients make these judgments separately from physician socio-demographic variables and support the belief that communication skills are a major determinant of patient satisfaction.