New research indicates that patients treated by female physicians experience reduced mortality rates and fewer hospital readmissions compared to those treated by male physicians. This benefit appears to be even more pronounced for female patients themselves.
The study revealed a significant clinical difference in mortality rates for female patients: 8.15% when treated by female doctors versus 8.38% when treated by male doctors. While the mortality rate difference for male patients was smaller, female physicians still demonstrated a slightly lower rate at 10.15% compared to male physicians at 10.23%. Researchers observed a similar pattern in hospital readmission rates, further highlighting the impact of physician gender on patient outcomes.
These findings come from a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, a peer-reviewed journal. Dr. Yusuke Tsugawa, the study’s senior author and an associate professor at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine and Fielding School of Public Health, suggests that if male and female physicians practiced medicine identically, patient outcomes should not vary based on physician gender.
Dr. Tsugawa states, “Our findings indicate that female and male physicians practice medicine differently, and these differences have a meaningful impact on patients’ health outcomes.” He emphasizes the need for further research to understand the mechanisms behind these differences and why female patients seem to benefit more from female physicians. This deeper understanding could lead to strategies for improving patient care across the board.
The research team analyzed Medicare claims data from 2016-2019, encompassing approximately 458,100 female and 319,800 male patients. Around 31% of patients in both groups were treated by female physicians. The study focused on 30-day mortality and 30-day hospital readmission rates as primary outcome measures.
Several potential factors could explain these observed differences. The researchers propose that male physicians might underestimate the severity of illness in female patients. Previous studies have shown that male doctors may underestimate pain levels, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular symptoms, and stroke risk in female patients. This underestimation could lead to delays or gaps in care. Conversely, female physicians might exhibit stronger communication skills with female patients, fostering a better exchange of crucial information that leads to more accurate diagnoses and effective treatment plans. Additionally, female patients might feel more comfortable undergoing sensitive examinations and engaging in detailed discussions with female physicians.
Dr. Tsugawa stresses that further investigation is crucial to fully understand how and why practice patterns differ between male and female physicians and the subsequent impact on patient care. He believes that a more comprehensive understanding could pave the way for interventions designed to enhance patient care effectively.
Furthermore, Dr. Tsugawa points out the importance of addressing gender pay gaps in the medical field. He concludes, “It is important to note that female physicians provide high-quality care, and therefore, having more female physicians benefits patients from a societal point-of-view.” The study’s co-authors include Dr. Atsushi Miyawaki, Dr. Anupam Jena, and Dr. Lisa Rotenstein. Funding for the study was provided by GRoW @ Annenberg.
