Female Doctors Linked to Lower Mortality Rates

I am a female doctor guiding women through all phases of life for over 20 years, and I recently read something very exciting that I want to share with you. 

An article published on People.com reveals that receiving treatments from female physicians is associated with lower mortality and readmission rates for hospital patients, particularly women. 

A recent study by researchers at the University of California Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine confirmed the findings. 

The study and its findings

The study, which analyzed data from over 776,000 patients hospitalized with medical conditions from 2016 to 2019 and treated by hospitalists, found that patients had better outcomes when treated by female physicians. The benefits were even more pronounced for female patients compared to male patients. 

Yusuke Tsugawa, one of the study’s authors, emphasized that female and male physicians practice medicine differently, and these differences have a meaningful impact on patients’ health outcomes. Understanding the underlying mechanisms that link physician gender with patient outcomes, as well as why female patients benefit more from treatments by female physicians, could potentially improve patient care. 

Previous studies published in 2023 also suggested that patients operated on by female surgeons had lower rates of adverse postoperative outcomes compared to those operated on by male surgeons. This highlights the relevance of physician gender in various aspects of health care. 

Potential factors influencing patient outcomes

While the exact reasons for why female patients benefit from treatment by female doctors are not explicitly stated in the research, other studies suggest that miscommunication, misunderstandings, and bias may play a role in medical interactions. For instance, a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine revealed that women and minority patients are more likely to be misdiagnosed than white men. 

Dr. Megan Ranney from the Yale School of Public Health noted that women physicians may possess a heightened awareness of dismissed pain and symptoms, leading to more empathetic care. Overall, the presence of more female physicians is beneficial for patient care from a societal standpoint. 

Societal benefits and future research

Further research and a better understanding of this topic could pave the way for interventions that effectively improve patient outcomes. 

At the very forefront of women’s health in Los Angeles – Dr. Aliabadi

Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi routinely appears among the top OB/GYNs in the country’s physician rankings. This success was earned following years of exacting training, as well as decades of building and nurturing one-on-one relationships with every woman who comes to her practice. 

We invite you to establish care with Dr. Aliabadi. Please make an appointment online or call us at (844) 863-6700. 

The practice of Dr. Thais Aliabadi and the Outpatient Hysterectomy Center is conveniently located for patients throughout Southern California and the Los Angeles area. We are near Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, Culver City, Hollywood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, and downtown Los Angeles. 

Sources 

Lambe, S. (2024, April 23). Being Treated by a Female Physician Leads to ‘Lower Mortality’ Rates, Study Shows. People. Retrieved from https://people.com/hospital-patients-treated-by-female-doctors-lower-mortality-rate-study-8637558