Patients Treated by Female Physicians Had Lower 30-day Mortality

JAMA recently published results from a study on mortality and readmissions rates for patients treated by female physicians compared to patients treated by male physicians. Here are some key findings from the report:

•	Female physicians account for one-third of the US physician workforce.
•	Half of all US medical school graduates are women.
•	Patients treated by females had lower 30-day mortality (11.07% vs 11.49%).
•	Readmissions were 15.02% for patients treated by females vs 15.57% for males.
•	Patients of female physicians had lower mortality for sepsis (23.05% vs 25.09%).
•	An estimated 32,000 fewer patients would die annually if male physicians achieved the same outcomes as female physicians.

Source: United Health Foundation, December 12, 2016