Hospitalized medical patients may fare better when treated by female physicians, study finds
Patients cared for by female physicians in the hospital were less likely to die or be readmitted than those treated by male physicians, according to a new ICES study led by a University of Toronto researcher. This suggests that care by female physicians may be associated with better short- and long-term outcomes among patients hospitalized with common medical diagnoses.
A new study from ICES, led by a University of Toronto researcher, reveals that hospitalized patients treated by female physicians may have better short- and long-term outcomes compared to those treated by male physicians. The research, published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed data from over 958,150 adults hospitalized for common medical conditions between 2008 and 2022.
Among these patients, those cared for by female physicians experienced lower 30-day mortality (12.3% vs. 13.7%) and a slightly lower hospital readmission rate (18.6% vs. 18.9%). The association was observed not only at 30 days but also at 90 days and one year post-hospitalization. The study suggests that female physicians may engage in more patient-centered communication, spend more time with patients, order guideline-directed treatments, consult colleagues, and share decision-making, potentially leading to improved care.
However, the researchers emphasize that the study does not establish causation and further research is needed to determine whether clinical care differs by physician sex and whether these findings can be applied to other settings.
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