Researchers from the University of Tokyo in Japan conducted a study to explore the benefits of treatment by female doctors. They analyzed data from two databases regarding medical claims and doctor expertise, focusing on 458,101 female patients and 318,819 male patients aged 65 and over who were hospitalized between 2016 and 2019. The study found that re-hospitalization rates were lower among patients treated by female doctors, with female patients experiencing a lower mortality rate in particular for certain diseases.
The study authors suggested several reasons for these findings. They theorized that male doctors may underestimate the severity of diseases in female patients, leading to suboptimal treatment outcomes. Communication between female doctors and female patients was also highlighted as a potential factor contributing to better results. Additionally, the possibility of female patients feeling less embarrassed or uncomfortable during examinations by female doctors was raised as a reason for improved outcomes.
Research has shown that treatment by female doctors can lead to better communication, closer relationships, and higher patient responsiveness to medical recommendations. Previous studies have also indicated that treatment by female doctors may result in higher quality treatment processes, especially for female patients.
Overall, the study highlights the potential benefits of treatment by female doctors and the importance of considering gender when it comes to healthcare outcomes.