Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers: Female Doctors
February 13, 2017
The next time you or a loved is admitted to the hospital, you may want to consider requesting a female doctor. According to new research, patients who are treated by female doctors have better survival rates and are less likely to be hospitalized again after they have received treatment, compared to patients treated by their male counterparts. The study, which focuses on patients 65 or older, is the first of its kind to analyze the difference between male and female physicians, and how these differences impact clinical outcomes.
Researchers from The Harvard School of Public Health looked at data from over one million Medicare patients, age 65 or older, who had been admitted to the hospital between 2011 and 2014. For purposes of the study, researchers look at the mortality rate and the readmission rate within 30 days, comparing the results of patients treated by female doctors to those treated by male doctors.
Study Results at a Glance
Researchers found the following results when comparing the outcomes of patients who were treated by female physicians versus those treated by male physicians:
- Patients who received treatment from a female doctor had a four percent lower risk of passing away within one month.
- Patients of female doctors had a five percent lower risk of needing to be readmitted to the hospital within a month after being discharged.
- Results were consistent across a range of medical conditions.
According to the lead author of the study, the physician’s gender seems to matter most with the sickest patients. From a clinical standpoint, if we can better understand the differences in practice patterns between male and female physicians, we can identify ways to improve outcomes. The researchers involved in the study suggest that if male physicians had the same clinical outcomes as their female colleagues, there would be approximately 32,000 fewer fatalities each year. This is comparable to the number of annual car accident fatalities.
These differing outcomes are likely due to the manner in which female physicians practice medicine compared male physicians. According to the study co-author, there is significant evidence proving that males and females practice medicine differently, and that these differences can have a serious impact on the health and safety of patients. For example, female doctors tend to follow clinical guidelines more closely, and have better communications skills when interacting with patients. As we continue to gain a better understanding of these differences, we can work towards improved patient outcomes.
Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Protect Victims of Medical Negligence
If you or a loved one has been hospitalized recently, and you feel that you received negligent medical care by a physician, you are urged to contact the Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton as soon as possible. Our dedicated team will thoroughly review your case and examine all of your medical records so that we can determine who is the negligent party. Protecting your rights is our top priority and we will not stop fighting until we obtain the maximum financial compensation you deserve. To set up a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent medical malpractice victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Parkville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.
