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Jilly_in_VA

(9,983 posts)
Wed Aug 30, 2023, 06:28 PM Aug 2023

Patients have better outcomes with female surgeons, studies find

People who are operated on by female surgeons are less likely to experience complications and need follow-up care than when males wield the scalpel, according to two major studies that suggest male surgeons have important lessons to learn.

Doctors in Canada and Sweden reviewed more than 1m patient records from two separate medical registers and found that patients seen by female surgeons had significantly better outcomes with fewer problems in the months after the operation.

The researchers are investigating potential reasons for the differences, but the records suggest that female surgeons tend to operate more slowly and may achieve better results by taking their time in the operating theatre.

Dr Christopher Wallis, who led one of the studies at Mount Sinai hospital in Toronto, said the findings should prompt male surgeons to reflect on their approach to surgery and learn from female colleagues for the benefit of their patients. “As a male surgeon, I think these data should cause me and my colleagues to pause and consider why this may be,” he said.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/aug/30/female-surgeons-patient-outcomes-better-studies

From where I sit, I think it has a lot to do with ego.

7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Patients have better outcomes with female surgeons, studies find (Original Post) Jilly_in_VA Aug 2023 OP
My last surgery was a Lady Surgeon. Turbineguy Aug 2023 #1
So was mine, hip replacement Warpy Aug 2023 #5
Interesting..... OAITW r.2.0 Aug 2023 #2
My hand surgeon is female Jilly_in_VA Aug 2023 #3
Subtalar Joint Fusion here wolfie001 Aug 2023 #4
When I was still nursing MuseRider Aug 2023 #6
My surgeon was a woman. madaboutharry Aug 2023 #7

Warpy

(111,276 posts)
5. So was mine, hip replacement
Wed Aug 30, 2023, 07:51 PM
Aug 2023

Women were discouraged from going into orthopedic surgery for a long time because we're too dainty and delicate to saw bones apart and hammer joint replacements into place. Turns out we're not.

Jilly_in_VA

(9,983 posts)
3. My hand surgeon is female
Wed Aug 30, 2023, 06:52 PM
Aug 2023

She's amazing. In fact, all my docs are female except my GI doc, and he's one in a million.

When I had all my complicated abdominal surgeries in 2012, my condition was initially discovered by my GYN (female). After she got the results of my abdominal CT, she wanted to refer me to the local surgery group. Well, in the first place, I hate the local hospital, and in the second, I hate surgeons generally, and I reminded her of that. She thought for a minute and said, "Well, in that case, I know just where I'll send you. This guy was my chief resident when I did my surgery residency and he's different from most surgeons. I think you'll find that." And he was. He may have been male, but there was no ego problem at all. In fact, he had been through something very similar to my situation and was excellent at explaining things. Unfortunately, he has since retired. But I still go to that hospital if I need something.

wolfie001

(2,252 posts)
4. Subtalar Joint Fusion here
Wed Aug 30, 2023, 07:40 PM
Aug 2023

Can confirm. My ankle is doing great (surgery back in 2013). I move around and am retiring in the next 3 months or so. Thank you Doctor!!!

MuseRider

(34,111 posts)
6. When I was still nursing
Wed Aug 30, 2023, 07:58 PM
Aug 2023

we had male surgeons who competed over who could finish their surgery first. They actually made it a game, hand slapping and occasional talk of betting but I never heard that they actually did it. It was disgusting. I do not believe there were any women surgeons at that time, not where I worked anyway. Most of my doctors are now women and I request that. Being female I am not likely to choose a male ever again.

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