The latest research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that patients treated by female physicians experience lower mortality and readmission rates compared to those treated by male physicians.
Dr. Yusuke Tsugawa, a senior author of the study, highlights the significance of these findings, suggesting that differences in medical practice between genders have tangible effects on patient outcomes. Analyzing Medicare claims data from 2016 to 2019, the study encompassed over 458,100 female patients and 318,800 male patients, with approximately 31% of both groups treated by female doctors.
Results indicate a mortality rate of 8.15% for female patients under female physicians compared to 8.38% under male physicians, and 10.15% for male patients under female physicians compared to 10.23% under male physicians.
Dr. Lisa Rotenstein, a co-author of the study, emphasizes variations in care delivery patterns, noting that female physicians engage more in shared decision-making and spend more time with patients, potentially contributing to better outcomes.
Despite females constituting 37% of practicing physicians in the U.S., specialties such as pediatrics and hospice and palliative medicine exhibit higher female representation, while sports medicine and orthopedic surgery lag behind.
Christopher Wallis, an assistant professor in the Division of Urology at the University of Toronto, underscores the consistent trend across medical fields indicating improved outcomes with female physicians, attributing it to differences in communication styles and adherence to guidelines.
Dr. Arghavan Salles, a clinical associate professor of medicine at Stanford University, urges male physicians to reflect on these findings and consider avenues for improvement in their practice, fostering a more inclusive and effective healthcare environment.
