Study Shows Hospitals with More Female Surgeons Have Better Patient Outcomes

The latest study published in the British Journal of Surgery has revealed an interesting correlation between the gender diversity of surgical teams and patient outcomes. According to the study, patients undergoing major surgeries at hospitals where women make up at least one-third of the surgical team have a lower risk of experiencing serious post-operative complications, including death.

The research, which analyzed over 700,000 cases of non-emergency surgeries at 88 different hospitals in Canada, found that the incidence of major morbidity within the first three months of recovery was significantly lower in hospitals with more than 35% women surgeons and anesthetists. In fact, the odds of major complications decreased by 3% in these settings compared to hospitals with fewer women in these roles.

Interestingly, the study also highlighted the importance of having a woman surgeon or anesthetist as the direct provider for patients undergoing surgery. Patients who were treated by women in these roles had even lower rates of post-operative complications or death.

These findings add to a growing body of research suggesting that female doctors may have better patient outcomes than their male counterparts. Previous studies have shown that patients treated by women physicians have lower risks of dying or being readmitted to the hospital within a certain period after treatment.

The researchers behind the latest study emphasized the importance of building diverse surgical teams to optimize patient outcomes and quality care. The results underscore the need for further research to understand the factors contributing to these differences in patient outcomes based on the gender of the medical providers.

Overall, the study highlights the potential benefits of gender diversity in healthcare settings and the positive impact it can have on patient safety and recovery. As the medical community continues to explore these findings, it opens up new avenues for improving surgical care and patient outcomes.