Question: I’ve been an avid reader of the “Family Medicine” column for a number of years. I’ve noticed that since you’ve taken over from Dr. Wolf several months ago that the columns have a slightly different “tone.” This has made me wonder if there is any research showing the differences, if any, between the way male and female doctors practice medicine.

Answer: This is a very interesting question that has been debated for years. I’m very proud of the rich history of involvement of women in the osteopathic medical profession. My alma mater, the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, was in the 1890s and the first few decades of the 20th Century, a national leader in the medical education of women. Andrew T. Still, the founder of the osteopathic profession and first president of KCOM, was an outspoken advocate of women in medicine and thought they might even have an slight advantage in the ob/gyn field.

That being said, the question does remain if there is any measurable difference in the way men and women tend to practice medicine. Most of the research in this area to date has been done on communication styles.

One fairly recent study revealed some interesting differences between male and female doctors in the area of communication. It found that primary care physicians who are women tend to spend more time with each patient and communicate with patients more.

This study, published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, was based on earlier research that had been conducted over a thirty-five year period. Those earlier studies had looked at the communication styles of primary care doctors and internists as well as other physicians and residents.
The researchers concluded that female doctors spent an average of twenty-three minutes with each patient, compared to twenty-one minutes for male physicians. It also found that in general, a female doctor is more likely to have words of encouragement and reassurance for her patients, and she is more likely to establish a personal rapport with the patient.

The authors of the study were quick to point out that even with the differences, they felt both male and female doctors generally do a good job communicating with patients. And, they found no difference in the quality of care. Nothing in the study, they stressed, suggested that women are better doctors than men or that men are superior to women.

The research did reinforce, though, the fact that different doctors have different styles. So as a patient, it can be to your advantage to find a physician who has a personality and a communication style you’re comfortable with. Some patients prefer a nurturing type of physician who can address both the physical and emotional aspects of health care. Other patients prefer a doctor who’s “all business” –- who shares with them the facts surrounding their medical condition and presents the information in a strictly analytical way with minimal emotional overtones.

That’s why I advise people to shop around carefully for a family physician, to find somebody with both strong medical credentials and a personality you like. Be it a man or a woman, you’ll be more satisfied if your doctor is someone with whom you can communicate well.

Family Medicine® is a weekly column. To submit questions, write to Martha A. Simpson, D.O., M.B.A., Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, P.O. Box 110, Athens, Ohio 45701. Medical information in this column is provided as an educational service only. It does not replace the judgment of your personal physician, who should be relied on to diagnosis and recommend treatment for any medical conditions. Past columns are available online at http://www.FamilyMedicineNews.org.