Female Doctors Lead the Charge for Equality

Healthcare has long been a male-dominated industry, with women lacking the opportunities that are so freely available to their male counterparts. However, this outdated dynamic is gradually changing with time. Thanks to the increasingly equal opportunities available, more women are able and willing to pursue a career within healthcare. In this article, you will discover what are the main reasons female doctors are becoming a force within the healthcare system.

The Rise of Female Doctors in Healthcare

According to a 2017 study by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the number of women enrolling in medical schools outnumbered men for the first time. The study shows 50.7% of new enrollees were women, compared to a lower figure of 49.8% in 2016. The rise in female medical students is helping to create equality in the medical field, as they are becoming the majority among younger qualified doctors.

Current data shows that doctors who are 44 and younger are mostly female. In fact, under-35-year-olds are 60% female, a vast difference from the 80% of male physicians over 65. On a global level, there has also been a distinct change. In 1990, female doctors made up only 29% in all OECD countries. This reached 38% in 2000 and increased to 46% by 2015. This progression is sure to continue as the number of female graduates only increases.

Are Women Better Doctors Than Men?

Between 2011 and 2014, a study was carried out with hospitalized patients on whether patient outcomes differ between male or female physicians. The study showed a notable difference in mortality rates and readmission rates:

• Mortality rates: Female physicians 11.07% vs. male physicians 11.49%
• Readmission rates: Female physicians 15.02% vs. male physicians 15.57%

Research also shows that visits to female primary care physicians are less likely to result in emergency departments visits than those of their male colleagues. The study finds that these results may mainly come from the different ways male and female doctors practice. Female physicians may be more likely to:

• Adhere to clinical guidelines
• Provide preventive care more often
• Use more patient-centered communication
• Perform as well or better on standardized examinations
• Provide more psychosocial counseling to their patients than do their male peers

Research shows that female doctors typically spend more time with each patient than their male counterparts. Both male and female patients usually talk more when they see a female doctor. This could be because female doctors are often more emotionally responsive than male doctors. They focus on communication that is more emotional and ask more questions about a patient’s lifestyle and feelings, which can greatly affect physical health.

Professional Challenges Facing Female Physicians

1. Gender Bias in Training

Women have made progress in closing gender gaps in medicine; however, they still face many challenges in their training and work as doctors. Women are typically rated less highly than men during medical school and residency. A study in 2010 found that men are more likely to be viewed as quick learners – a gender bias that plays a significant role in the assessment of female students.

2. Caretaker Stereotypes

Once qualified, countless other harmful gender biases undoubtedly hinder female physicians. The inherent assumption that the woman is the prime caretaker in the family often leads to female physicians taking on the majority of parental responsibility.

A Specialized Standard of Care

We know our female patients tend to feel more comfortable discussing women's health issues with female doctors. Female doctors provide attentive and preventative care for various treatments, including:

• Routine Pap smear screening and breast checks
• Medical support for fertility, contraception, and pregnancy
• Menstrual, menopause and HRT advice
• Antenatal and postnatal care

At the clinic, we prioritise providing a high standard of care to each of our patients, ensuring you feel well supported in your doctor's care.