This is a surprising find.
Recent research suggests that the gender of your physician could influence your prognosis, with hospitalized patients showing lower mortality rates under the care of female doctors.
Published in the Annals of Internal Medicine on April 22, the study revealed that 10.15% of male patients and 8.2% of female patients died when treated by a female physician, compared to 10.23% and 8.4% under male physicians, respectively.
Dr. Yusuke Tsugawa, the senior study author from UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, expressed concern over this disparity, emphasizing that patient outcomes ideally should not vary based on the gender of their physician. Analyzing Medicare claims data from 2016 to 2019, researchers found that patients treated by female doctors not only had lower mortality rates but also a reduced likelihood of hospital readmission within a month of discharge.
The study suggests potential reasons for this discrepancy, including male physicians potentially underestimating the severity of female patients’ illnesses. Previous research has indicated that male doctors may overlook women’s pain levels, cardiovascular symptoms, and stroke risk. Additionally, it’s posited that women may feel more comfortable communicating with female doctors, leading to more accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Tsugawa highlighted the need for further investigation into how and why male and female physicians differ in their medical practices and how this impacts patient care. Understanding these differences could lead to improved patient outcomes across the board.
Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of addressing gender disparities in physician pay. Dr. Tsugawa emphasized that female physicians provide high-quality care and that eliminating gender gaps in pay is essential for societal progress. A 2021 analysis published in Health Affairs revealed that female physicians earn significantly less than their male counterparts over a 40-year medical career.
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