ANGELES UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION

Angeles City
COLLEGE OF NURSING
A.Y. 2017 - 2018

Female vs Male Surgeons: Better Outcomes?

Journal Article | Operating Room

Submitted by:

Bala, Jessica M.

Malayao, Peetchee

Tapnio, Crizzel Ann C.

BSN III-B

Submitted to:
Karen Sembrano, RN, MN
Clinical Instructor
 Female vs Male Physicians: Better Outcomes?
Medscape General Surgery © 2016 WebMD, LLC

Elderly hospitalized patients who receive care from a female surgeon have lower
mortality and readmission rates than those who are cared for by male surgeon within the
same hospital, a study has shown.

The findings appear to validate to the results of earlier studies suggesting that
patient-centered communications and other practice behaviors frequently associated with
female providers may have important clinical implications, the researchers write.

The results also appear to refute the argument that quality of care provided by
female surgeon seeking to balance work and family responsibilities may be compromised,
which has been used to explain differences in the pay and professional advancement of
female surgeon relative to their male colleagues.

The characteristics of patients who were treated by female surgeon were similar
to those treated by male surgeon with respect to mean age, race, household income,
Medicaid coverage, and coexisting conditions.

"Patients of female physicians had lower mortality and readmission rates across
all medical conditions we examined," the authors write, noting that the magnitude and
statistical significance of the differences varied by condition.

Similar patterns were observed when the researchers restricted the sample to
patients treated by hospitalists.

Taken together, these findings "are consistent with results from prior studies of
process measures of quality," the authors write. "There is evidence in the primary care
setting suggesting that, compared with male surgeon, female surgeon are more likely to
practice evidence-based medicine, perform as well or better on standardized
examinations, and provide more patient-centered care."

Sex-based differences in problem-solving approaches may also play a role in the

care variations, the authors suggest.

As previous studies have suggested, the findings of the current investigation

suggest that sex-related differences in practice patterns between male and female
surgeon "may have important clinical implications for patient outcomes," the authors write.
"Understanding exactly why these differences in care quality and practice patterns exist
may provide valuable insights into improving quality of care for all patients, irrespective
of who provides their care."

The findings of the study, as well as any additional insight into the drivers of surgeon
sex-related outcome disparities, may ultimately be important factors in narrowing the
financial and professional-development gap between female and male surgeon, as
recently reported by Medscape Medical News, according to the authors of an
accompanying editorial.
 PROBLEM

Who’s Better: Female or Male Surgeon?

INTERVENTION

Men and women are alike in many ways. However, there are important biological
and behavioral differences between the two genders. Understanding exactly why
these differences in care quality and practice patterns exist may provide valuable
insights.

To understand why female surgeons have lower mortality so that all patients can
have the best possible outcomes, irrespective of the gender of their surgeons. In a
profession increasingly conscious of bottom lines and quality outcomes. It takes to
spur equal compensation and opportunity for female surgeon.

As previous studies have suggested, the findings of the current investigation

suggest that sex-related differences in practice patterns between male and female
surgeons "may have important clinical implications for patient outcomes," the authors
write. "Understanding exactly why these differences in care quality and practice
patterns exist may provide valuable insights into improving quality of care for all
patients, irrespective of who provides their care."

Many other factors besides inherent gender differences could explain the results.
For example, maybe hospitals that are more likely to recruit and retain female doctors
have other characteristics that lead to better care, such as more resources, better-
trained staff, more enlightened leadership and less hostile environments. Are women
who make it through medical education on average more qualified and capable
because they’ve been held to higher standards? Maybe. Could many female doctors
be working harder because they feel like they need to prove themselves? Possibly.
Could the challenges that women face during their careers make them in general more
empathetic towards patients? Potentially. Is the male average being dragged down by
older male doctors who are not up to date on the latest guidelines or procedures?
Perhaps.

Large population studies tend to lump individuals into broad categories, make
gross generalizations and gloss over more complex differences among individuals.
Regardless, the results certainly do not support any notion that women in general are
worse doctors than men. Why is such a study even necessary? Well, the unfortunate
reason is that enough people still hold onto or propagate the belief that gender
somehow is related to performance as a doctor.

COMPARISON

Majority of other jobs such as being a doctor, being a man or a women doesn’t
necessarily make you more or less capable. What matters is the individual. The study
does not tell you to always choose a female surgeon instead of a male surgeon.
Remember both men and women include a very diverse range of people with different
personalities, viewpoints, skills, abilities and backgrounds. Some men and women are
spectacular doctors.

Women can be just as meticulous or just as sloppy as men. Or just as cold or

warm. Or just as hard-working or lazy. In fact, a given man and a given women can
be more similar to each other than two given women or two given men.

Men doctors not only surgeons tend to expect care to happen because of their
intention, not because they carefully put the procedures in place to make it happen.
Women doctors tend to have more collegial relationships with their staff members who
make the arrangements, they make their intentions clear and expect reward follow
through.

We ever reach a time when people use other, more relevant characteristics to
judge a doctor rather than gender, racial/ethnic background, appearance, beliefs,
lifestyle or anything else unrelated to job performance.
 Being truly post-gender and post-racial means everyone looks beyond
appearances and focuses on capabilities. Unfortunately, society and the medical
system are still nowhere near this point.

OUTCOME

We found out that there’s something about the way female surgeon are practicing
that is different from the way male surgeon are practicing and different in ways that
impact whether a patient survives his or her operation. We need to figure out what
that is. Is it that female surgeon are more evidence-based, as a few studies suggest?
Or is it that there are differences in how female and male providers communicate with
patients and other providers that allow female surgeon to be more effective? Another
important point must be addressed.

There is pretty strong evidence of a substantial gender pay gap and a gender
promotion gap within medicine. Several recent studies have found that women
physicians are paid less than male physicians and are less likely to promote within
academic medical centers.

The bottom line is this: When it comes to medical conditions, women surgeon
seem to be outperforming male surgeon. The difference is small but important. We
need to learn more about why these differences exist so all patients have better
outcomes, irrespective of the gender of their surgeon.