Who Treats Their Patients Better? Male or Female Doctors?



Is your doctor male or female? While there are a lot of factors to take into consideration when choosing a physician you may not have thought about their sex. In a recent study Harvard researchers took a look at whether males or females make better physicians. The results may surprise you. In an article recently published on NPR they delved into this study to further explore it's conclusions. 
"In a study that is sure to rile male doctors, Harvard researchers have found that female doctors who care for elderly hospitalized patients get better results. Patients cared for by women were less likely to die or return to the hospital after discharge.
Previous research has shown that female doctors are more likely to follow recommendations about prevention counseling and to order preventive tests like Pap smears and mammograms."
It appears that there is growing evidence to suggest that you may be better off with a female physician. What do you think? I believe that there are certain characteristics that women have that could lead them to take a greater interest in their patients and their lives. While I may be speaking in generalities men are often less interested in details and simply want to complete a task. 
Here are some more excerpt from the NPR article:
"The study's authors estimate "that approximately 32,000 fewer patients would die if male physicians could achieve the same outcomes as female physicians every year.
Since half the patients we treat are women and girls, it makes sense that at least half the physician corps should reflect the population. We've achieved that in medical school rolls, but overall only a third of practicing doctors are female. And many specialties, including orthopedics, cardiology and neurosurgery, are still dominated by men."
While many find this study to be quite interesting others may find it controversial. At this point even the authors of the study are unsure why the gender-based differences exist. I'm sure this will be further explored down the road.
Source: Patients Cared For By Female Doctors Fare Better Than Those Treated By Men

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