Female Doctors Get Better Results for Their Patients
Have you ever wondered if having a female doctor makes a difference? Some recent studies say it does!
The Research
According to a recent analysis of more than 700,000 surgeries in Canada and published in the British Journal of Surgery, hospitals with more female surgeons and anesthesiologists tend to have fewer complications among patients post-surgery: a 3% decrease in serious health issues within three months of surgery, to be exact. The researchers concluded that diversity across medical teams matters: “The two sexes possess different skills, knowledge, experiences, beliefs, values, and leadership styles” all of which can lead to better patient outcomes.
This female-doctor edge isn’t just about surgery. Other recent studies, including one published in the Annals of Internal Medicine and another in JAMA found that patients treated by female doctors had lower mortality and readmissions compared with those cared for by male doctors. The research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine noted that the advantage of having a female doctor was even more pronounced when female doctors treated female patients.
According to this and other research, men and women practice medicine differently. Female doctors may be more likely to:
Take more time with their patients
Adhere to clinical guidelines
Encourage shared decision making with their patients
Provide preventive care more often
Use more patient-centered communication
More promptly address post-operative concerns
Provide more psychosocial counseling to their patients and
Furnish more follow-up care
This powerful combination often results in better outcomes for patients, particularly female ones.
The lead author of the new study in the British Journal of Surgery, Dr. Julie Hallet, who is an associate professor of surgery at the University of Toronto, warns, though, not to oversimply the findings. “It’s very hard to say a male is better than a female surgeon in general,” she said, noting that there are excellent surgeons of all genders. Dr. Hallet also observed that having only one or two females wouldn’t make a difference. “[T]here has to be a critical mass achieved before you can see those benefits happen.”
That said, the findings have important implications for patients.
What Does This Mean for Patients?
Selecting your doctor is arguably one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make especially after a difficult diagnosis. The research discussed above provides several key take-aways for patients:
Who your doctor is really matters
Regardless of their gender, you want a doctor who takes their time, listens, communicates well, emphasizes preventative care and involves you in decision making
Do your research, read reviews, ask for recommendations from people you trust
Meet with different doctors to get a sense of whether they’d be a good partner in health for you
When things aren’t working out, it’s perfectly ok to fire your doctor and move to someone who’s a better fit
Patients have agency, often much more than they give themselves credit for.
If you want better health, it’s vital for you take charge of your own healthcare journey.