Comparison of Hospital Mortality and Readmission Rates for Medicare Patients Treated by Male vs Female Physicians.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Studies have found differences in practice patterns between male and female physicians, with female physicians more likely to adhere to clinical guidelines and evidence-based practice. However, whether patient outcomes differ between male and female physicians is largely unknown.

Objective

To determine whether mortality and readmission rates differ between patients treated by male or female physicians.

Design, setting, and participants

We analyzed a 20% random sample of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries 65 years or older hospitalized with a medical condition and treated by general internists from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2014. We examined the association between physician sex and 30-day mortality and readmission rates, adjusted for patient and

SUBMITTER: Tsugawa Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5558155 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature