Why would a male doctor in the USA be afraid to discuss the emotions of a younger female patient with her or afraid to reassure her?

Anonymous

she’s had a cancer diagnosis of Hodgkin’s lymphoma and will need surgery but the male doctor plays down her reaction to the diagnosis saying it’s not that serious. Then when she’s scared about the surgery he doesn’t talk about feeling scared about it with her.

Why would a male doctor in the USA be afraid to discuss the emotions of a younger female patient with her or afraid to reassure her?
2 Opinion