According to new research published this week, patients treated by female doctors have better outcomes than those treated by male doctors. This is despite the ongoing challenges in increasing female representation in medical research and among practitioners. The study, which was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, analyzed data from more than 700,000 Medicare patients aged 65 or older who were hospitalized and treated between 2016 and 2019. The researchers found that patients treated by female physicians had lower mortality rates and lower rates of readmission compared to patients treated by male physicians. The findings held true for both male and female patients, but the difference was especially pronounced for female patients. The researchers suggest that several factors could contribute to these findings, including better communication skills and a more patient-centered approach among female physicians. They also note that female patients may feel more comfortable discussing sensitive issues with female doctors, which could lead to better outcomes.
These findings add to a growing body of research suggesting that patients treated by female clinicians have better outcomes than those treated by male clinicians. For example, studies from Sweden and Canada have found that patients who undergo surgery performed by female surgeons have better outcomes and fewer problems during recovery. In the U.S., research has shown that women who have heart attacks are more likely to survive when treated by a female doctor. The same is true for elderly hospital patients.
While the reasons for these findings are not fully understood, researchers suggest that female doctors may be more likely to listen to their patients, spend more time with them, and follow guidelines and collaborate with specialists. Female doctors also face a number of challenges in their field, including lower pay, systemic discrimination, and higher rates of burnout. Despite these challenges, female doctors continue to provide high-quality care to their patients. The findings of this study highlight the importance of increasing female representation in medicine and ensuring that female doctors have the support they need to succeed.
