Feb 26, 2022 12:00:00

'If the female surgeon is male, the mortality rate is 32% higher than if the surgeon is female.'

There are various biases in humans based on age, race, gender, etc., and they may affect people even if they are not aware of them. A study of surgery performed in Canada reported that 'when a female patient is operated on by a male surgeon, he or she is more likely to die than when a female surgeon operated on it.' increase.

Surgical Outcomes Should Know No Identity—The Case for Equity Between Patients and Surgeons | Health Disparities | JAMA Surgery | JAMA Network

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2786676

Risk of Death For Female Patients Is Much Higher if Surgeon Is a Man, Study Reveals
https://www.sciencealert.com/female-patients-are-much-likelier-to-suffer-complications-and-death-at-the-hands-of-male-surgeons

A research team led by Amalia Cochran, a surgeon at the University of Florida School of Medicine, found that more than 1.3 million patients who underwent surgery in Ontario, Canada, between 2007 and 2019, were treated by the surgeon and their gender. We analyzed patient mortality, complications, length of hospital stay, etc.

As a result of the analysis, 'a male surgeon operated on a female patient' was 16% more likely to develop complications than 'a female surgeon operated on a female patient', and was hospitalized. The results showed that there was a 20% chance of a longer period and a 32% chance of dying. On the other hand, 'a female surgeon operated on a male patient' was 2% more likely to develop complications than 'a male surgeon operated on a female patient', but could die. The sex was 13% lower, the research team said.

It is unclear why the outcome of surgery varies depending on the surgeon and the gender of the patient, but it has long been

pointed out that the gender of the doctor may affect the patient's health, and even in the treatment of patients with heart attack. The results show that 'when a male doctor treats a female patient, she is more likely to die.' The study also reports that 'male doctors who have treated female heart attack patients in the past have a higher survival rate for the treated female patients.'

Treatment of female heart attack patients by male doctors increases the likelihood of death-GIGAZINE

A 2008 study reported that the gender of the doctor made a difference in patient communication, diagnostic process, and treatment. It seems that female doctors have different follow-up examinations and drug prescription styles from male doctors, and it is easier to listen to patients, but what factors make a difference in surgical results? Further research is needed.

In the paper, Cochran and colleagues are likely to believe that 'surgeons provide the same quality of care regardless of the patient's identity.' 'But these data Emphasizes lesser-valued phenomena and highlights the measurable effects of implicit prejudice, 'he said, arguing that a mechanism should be developed to assess the surgeon's performance with respect to patient identity. ..

Some studies suggest that female doctors may give better treatment results than male doctors, but in Canada, the percentage of female surgeons is only around 27% , and female patients just because they are female. It is not possible to choose a doctor. In addition, although specific data are lacking, there is a possibility that even more significant effects will occur in transgender patients.

The research team argued that medical professionals could receive better training to improve treatment and communication with patients with different identities.