Patients treated by female surgeons incur lower health-care costs than those treated by male surgeons, suggests an Ontario-based study of more than one million people.

In a male dominated industry, female surgeons spend more time in the operating room and their patients endure fewer postoperative complications. That’s the conclusion of two research studies published Wednesday in JAMA Surgery. Researchers found better outcomes for patients treated by female surgeons in the sweeping reviews of millions of procedures in Canada and Sweden. 

In a male dominated industry, female surgeons spend more time in the operating room and their patients endure fewer postoperative complications. That’s the conclusion of two research studies published Wednesday in JAMA Surgery. Researchers found better outcomes for patients treated by female surgeons in the sweeping reviews of millions of procedures in Canada and Sweden. 

In this cohort study of 1 million patients, those treated by a female surgeon were less likely to experience death, hospital readmission, or major medical complication at 90 days or 1 year after surgery. This association was seen across nearly all subgroups defined by patient, surgeon, hospital, and procedure characteristics.

Women who are operated on by a male surgeon are much more likely to die, experience complications and be readmitted to hospital than when a woman performs the procedure, research reveals.

Many factors go into the success of surgery. A new analysis suggests that women may do better with female surgeons.

When you choose a surgeon, a number of factors might cross your mind: Can I afford their services? How quickly can I see them? Did someone I trust refer me to them? What is their reputation?

But medical researchers looking at health disparities have become increasingly interested in another question — one that could have major implications for the quality of your care: Does your doctor’s gender matter? And if so, how much?