Differences in the operating room
Study: Women are more likely to die when they are operated on by men
Important operations are still mostly performed by men – sometimes with fatal consequences for women
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There are still significantly more men than women in the operating room. Apparently, this sometimes has dire consequences for patients: If they are operated on by a man, the probability that the operation will go badly is higher.
If women are operated on by a male surgeon, complications are much more likely than if a woman performs the operation. This is the result of a study by scientists from the University of Toronto. According to this, the probability that women will suffer complications after an operation performed by a man, have to be hospitalized again or even die is statistically 15 percent higher.
The researchers conclude from their data that the risk of women dying within 30 days of the operation is even 32 percent higher than if female surgeons are responsible for the operation. For the study, which was published in the journal “JAMA Surgery” in December, the team from Canada examined operations in 1.3 million patients in England. With their results, the scientists want to initiate a discussion about the gender distribution in the operating room.
“Real Medical Consequences for Patients”
After all, according to the Royal College of Surgeons of England, 86 percent of chief surgeons in English hospitals are men. Judging by the results of the study, at least, this imbalance poses a threat to women. “The results have real medical consequences for patients,” said Angela Jerath, one of the study’s authors. Some female patients would “unnecessarily fall through the cracks” – with sometimes fatal consequences.
21 types of operations were examined: including routine operations such as the implantation of a knee prosthesis or appendectomy, but also more complicated operations such as heart or brain operations.
Interestingly, the study did not show the differences between the sexes the other way around. Men had the same result regardless of whether they were operated on by a man or a woman. Even if a woman was in the operating room, there were no significant differences between the male and female operated on. However, if a woman was operated on by another woman, problems occurred much less often than with a man as a surgeon. “Understanding the reasons behind these observations offers the opportunity to improve treatment for all patients,” the researchers write in their paper.
Women rarely make it to the position of chief surgeon
However, it is precisely these reasons that are difficult to name. The authors write that the results of operations carried out by women and men are so different because of their technical skills – after all, all medical professionals had the same training. Co-author Jerath names an “implicit bias” that distinguishes the sexes as a possible explanation. The actions of male surgeons may be influenced by “subconscious, deeply ingrained prejudices, stereotypes and attitudes”. Differences in communication and decision-making between men and women could also play a role.
In any case, however, the results showed how important it is to get more women into the operating theaters, summarize the authors. Among other things, the poor compatibility of family and work is why only few women make the leap to chief surgeon. In addition, more attention should be paid to symptoms in women in medical education.
Sources: “JAMA Surgery” / “Guardian”