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.