Male vs. Female Doctors: Does Gender Matter?

Would you choose a physician or surgeon based on their height or proficiency at golf? Sounds absurd, doesn’t it; such factors are irrelevant. What we want is a capable and skilled practitioner, someone who’ll provide the best treatment possible.

And yet, there’s one characteristic of a doctor that’s highly relevant, especially if hospitalized. Choose right, and you’ll have a better chance of recovery and less chance of dying.

You need to find out whether the doctor who will treat you is male or female.

Key Takeaways

• Studies have shown that female doctors have better patient outcomes, including lower mortality and readmission rates.
• Gender diversity in medical teams improves surgical results and reduces complications.
• Female physicians are more likely to follow clinical guidelines and provide preventive care.

What’s The Gender Difference?

The evidence has been building for decades. It shows men and women are different in the practice of medicine. At least fifteen studies suggest women are likelier to adhere to clinical guidelines, offer preventive care, communicate better with patients, and provide more counseling than their male peers.

The disparity is especially pronounced when male physicians treat female patients. Men have less rapport, weaker diagnostic certainty, and are less likely to acknowledge the patient’s condition as serious.

If true, male doctors certainly need to step up their game. Still, the most interesting question is whether the differences between men and women physicians are reflected in patient outcomes.

Female Physicians = More Satisfied Patients

A study published in JAMA showed that seniors admitted to hospitals and treated by female internists enjoyed lower mortality and readmission rates than those cared for by male internists.[1]

A detailed systematic review from the American College of Cardiology found that female physicians had better patient outcomes than male peers.[2] Patients undergoing one of 25 procedures performed by female surgeons were matched with the same operation by male surgeons. Results showed female surgeons had a small but significant decrease in 30-day mortality.[3]

Moreover, a study of 1,320,108 patients treated by 2,937 surgeons found worse outcomes for female patients treated by male physicians.[4]

It’s not looking good for male doctors. Two more studies were recently published. Perhaps they’ll fare better in 2024.

Lower Readmission and Death Rates

The first study, from UCLA, was an observational study of more than 700,000 male and female patients aged 65 and older who were hospitalized from 2016 to 2019.

The authors found the 30-day mortality rate for female patients was 8.15% when treated by female physicians, rising to a clinically significant 8.38% when the physician was male. The gap may seem small, but erasing it could save 5,000 women’s lives each year.

Even for male patients, female doctors still had the edge with a 10.15% mortality rate compared with male doctors’ 10.23% rate. Put starkly, you’re more likely to die if treated by a man. The same patterns were also found for 30-day hospital readmission rates.

The study’s senior author, Dr. Yusuke Tsugawa, said, " Our findings indicate that female and male physicians practice medicine differently, and these differences have a meaningful impact on patients' health outcomes.”[5]

He and his colleagues gave three reasons for the disparity in the treatment of women patients.[6]

Poorer Communication and Understanding

Men don’t communicate as well, so they aren’t receiving crucial information needed to provide the best treatment.

Men underestimate symptom severity, which delays treatment. Prior research found male doctors tend to underestimate female patients’ pain levels, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular symptoms, and stroke risk.

Men are less sensitive to women’s gynecological issues, impacting outcomes. Patients may be more comfortable and forthcoming when receiving sensitive examinations with female physicians.

The second study, from the University of Ontario, Canada, examined this issue from a completely different perspective.

Operating Teams’ Performance Improves

The question that interested these researchers was whether having more women in the operating room - anesthesiologists and surgeons - would affect the outcome for patients.

“We wanted to challenge the binary approach of comparing female and male clinicians and rather highlight the importance of diversity as a team asset or bonus in enhancing quality care,” said lead author Julie Hallet.

The study included data on 709,899 adult patients undergoing major in-patient surgeries in Ontario between 2009 and 2019. The findings showed that once a critical mass of 35% or more of the team were female, the odds of severe post-surgical complications were reduced by three percent over 90 days. It’s the first study to show a robust positive association between team gender diversity, patient outcomes, and quality care.

Gianni Lorello, staff anesthesiologist at Toronto Western Hospital, said, “We hope that these results will encourage hospitals to intentionally foster sex diversity in operating room teams to reduce poor health outcomes, which, in turn, can improve patient satisfaction…”[7]

Our Takeaway

In light of these eye-opening findings, it's clear that the gender of your doctor matters more than we might have thought. But let's not jump to conclusions or start a battle of the sexes in the medical field. Instead, we should view this as an opportunity to make a more informed decision about our healthcare.

It doesn't mean we should automatically dismiss male doctors, but it does encourage us to be more proactive in our care, regardless of our physician's gender. Ask questions, voice concerns, and don't be afraid to seek second opinions.

Summary

Research shows that female physicians often provide better patient outcomes than male physicians. Studies suggest that women doctors communicate better, adhere to clinical guidelines, and reduce mortality rates for both male and female patients. Teams with greater gender diversity, especially in surgery, also see improved outcomes. The gender of your healthcare provider can meaningfully impact your recovery and survival, particularly in hospitals.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Does a doctor's gender affect patient outcomes? Yes, studies suggest that female doctors often provide better patient outcomes, including lower mortality and readmission rates, especially for female patients.
• Why do female physicians tend to have better patient outcomes? Female doctors are more likely to follow clinical guidelines, communicate effectively, and offer preventive care, leading to better outcomes.
• How does gender diversity in surgical teams affect results? Teams with at least 35% female members show a reduced risk of complications, improving patient outcomes and care quality.
• Do male doctors underestimate women's symptoms? Research indicates that male physicians may underestimate the severity of symptoms in female patients, impacting diagnosis and treatment quality.
• Should I choose a doctor based on their gender? While expertise and experience are key, studies suggest that female doctors may offer improved communication and adherence to clinical guidelines, positively affecting patient outcomes.