| Sex of the GP - 20 years on. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 21843122 Owner: NLM Status: In-Data-Review |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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OBJECTIVE: Previous research with the Australian Morbidity and Treatment Survey (1990-1991) showed significant differences in general practitioner characteristics and patient mix of male and female GPs. Even after adjusting for these, it was seen that male and female GPs managed different types of medical conditions. The proportion of female GPs increased from 19.6% in 1990-1991 to 37.1% in 2009-2010. This study investigates whether differences remain two decades later. DESIGN AND SETTING: Analysis of 2009-2010 Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health (BEACH) data examining GP characteristics, patient encounter characteristics, patient reasons for encounter (RFE), problem types managed and management methods used, by GP sex. Whether GP sex was an independent predictor of problem types being managed, or management methods used, was tested using multiple logistic regressions and Poisson regression. PARTICIPANTS: 988 GPs recorded 98 800 GP-patient encounters. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Adjusted differences in clinical activity of male and female GPs. RESULTS: After adjustment, compared with male GPs, females recorded more RFEs about general and unspecified issues and endocrine, female genital, pregnancy and family planning problems; and fewer concerning the musculoskeletal, respiratory, skin and male genital systems. Female GPs managed more general and unspecified, digestive, circulatory, psychological, endocrine, female genital and social problems; recorded nearly 20% more clinical treatments and referrals; recorded nearly 10% more imaging and pathology tests; and 4.3% fewer medications. CONCLUSIONS: After two decades, even with increased numbers of female GPs, the differences in problems managed by male and female GPs remain, and will probably continue. Female GPs use more resources per encounter, but may not use more resources in terms of annual patient care. |
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Authors:
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Christopher M Harrison; Helena C Britt; Janice Charles |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: The Medical journal of Australia Volume: 195 ISSN: 1326-5377 ISO Abbreviation: Med. J. Aust. Publication Date: 2011 Aug |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2011-08-16 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0400714 Medline TA: Med J Aust Country: Australia |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 192-6 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Family Medicine Research Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. christopher.harrison@sydney.edu.au. |
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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