A recent study published in the British Journal of Surgery has provided further evidence that having more female doctors on surgical teams can reduce the risk of death or major health issues after surgery or hospitalization. The study, which analyzed over 700,000 procedures at 88 hospitals in Ontario between 2009 and 2019, found that hospitals with higher levels of gender diversity in surgical teams had a 3% lower chance of serious health complications for patients within three months of a major, non-emergency surgery.

The research compared hospitals in Canada where female surgeons and anesthesiologists made up over 35% of the surgical teams to those with a lower proportion of female doctors. These findings align with previous studies over the last decade that have consistently shown better patient outcomes with female doctors. One study revealed that women treated by female physicians were less likely to die or be readmitted to the hospital. Another study demonstrated that elderly hospitalized patients treated by female internists experienced similar positive results.

There are several potential reasons for this trend. Female doctors tend to spend more time with patients, engage in shared decision-making, adhere to clinical guidelines, and provide preventive care. Additionally, their communication style often involves fewer interruptions, which may lead to more accurate diagnoses and treatments while minimizing the likelihood of medical complications being overlooked.

However, the lead author of the study, Dr. Julie Hallet, emphasized that these findings should not undermine trust in male physicians. She stated that there are excellent male and female surgeons, and the focus should be on promoting diversity within surgical teams to improve overall patient care. Hallet noted that the strengths associated with female doctors may only have a significant impact when there is a critical mass achieved within the surgical team, allowing for effective collaboration and communication.

Dr. Dana Telem, a professor of surgery at the University of Michigan, suggested that the improved outcomes associated with female surgeons may be attributed to better follow-up care provided to patients. The study also highlighted that patients with female surgeons were more likely to receive regular checkups or routine care compared to those with male surgeons.

Although the research does combat bias against female physicians, it is crucial to recognize that performance differences between male and female doctors are not easily measurable. Dr. Andrea Riner, a general surgery resident at the University of Florida Health, cautioned against oversimplifying the findings and solely basing healthcare decisions on the gender of the physician.

Despite the growing acknowledgement of the importance of diversity in healthcare, the representation of women in leadership positions remains low. In the United States, women make up only 16% of academic surgery department leaders. Dr. Hallet emphasized that it is not solely about recruiting more female physicians but also creating an inclusive and supportive environment to fully leverage the benefits of a diverse team.

The study's findings underscore the significance of gender diversity in improving patient outcomes and point to the importance of fostering an inclusive healthcare environment. As healthcare systems continue to evolve, embracing diversity and promoting equitable representation across all medical disciplines will be crucial for delivering the highest quality of care to patients.