In two separate studies, Canadian and Swedish researchers analyzed more than a million patient records. They found that patients treated by female surgeons had significantly better outcomes and fewer problems in the months following surgery.
The first paper, the Canadian one, showed that 90 days after surgery, nearly 14% of patients treated by one man “experienced adverse postoperative events (ranging from infections to death),” The Guardian reports. This compares to 12.5% when the operation was led by a woman.
The patients examined by the surgeons continued to improve one year after the operation.
Fewer complications
Same story in the second study, the Swedish one. Patients treated by female surgeons suffered fewer complications and had shorter hospital stays than those treated by men.
Although these two studies are purely observational, the authors believe that “female surgeons tend to operate more slowly and achieve better results when they take their time in the operating room.” » In fact, researchers observed that, on average, surgeons experience fewer complications but spend more time in the operating room. In her opinion, “there are many lessons to be learned from this work.” »
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