Recent research conducted by the University of California (UCLA) and published in the peer-reviewed journal Annals of Internal Medicine indicates that patients treated by female physicians may have lower mortality rates compared to those treated by male physicians.
According to The Standard, the study examined mortality rates among hospital patients based on the gender of their treating physician. Results revealed that the mortality rate for female patients was 8.15 per cent when treated by female doctors, slightly lower than the 8.38 per cent rate observed when the physician was male. Similarly, male patients treated by female physicians had a mortality rate of 10.15 per cent, compared to 10.23 per cent when treated by male physicians.
Dr Yusuke Tsugawa, the senior author of the study, noted that the findings suggest differences in medical practice between male and female physicians, with potential implications for patient outcomes. Further investigation is warranted to understand the underlying mechanisms behind these differences and why female patients may benefit more from treatment by female physicians.
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The researchers analysed Medicare claims data spanning from 2016 to 2019, encompassing over 458,100 female patients and nearly 319,800 male patients. Several factors were cited as potential explanations for the observed outcomes, including differences in symptom recognition and communication styles between male and female physicians.
The report stressed the need for additional research to explore the impact of gender on medical practice and patient care. Dr Tsugawa also called for efforts to address physician pay gaps and promote gender diversity in the medical profession, highlighting the societal benefits of having more female physicians.
