The Benefits of a Female Surgeon
Only about one in every five surgeons practicing in the U.S. is female. While women are still the minority in most surgical subspecialties, there is evidence that female physicians may provide higher-quality care. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) released an article comparing hospital mortality and readmission rates for medicare patients treated by male versus female physicians.
Studies suggest that there are differences in physician practice patterns between men and women. Female physicians may be more likely to adhere to clinical guidelines, perform as well or better on standardized examinations, provide more frequent preventive care, use more patient-centred communication, and provide more psychosocial counselling to their patients than do their male peers. Despite this evidence, some have argued that career interruptions for childbirth and the demands of home responsibilities may compromise the quality of care provided by female physicians. This study in JAMA disproved that argument, finding that patients treated by female physicians had a lower 30-day mortality rate than those treated by male physicians.
While you have many options as a patient when choosing your doctor, keep in mind the benefits of working with a female physician. If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Mulholland, please contact our office, and know you can be confident that you are receiving the best care possible. We look forward to helping you on your wellness journey!
Interested in learning more? Read through the full article from JAMA
