A Comprehensive Assessment of Family Physician Gender and Quality of Care: A Cross-Sectional Analysis in Ontario, Canada.
Med Care
; 54(3): 277-86, 2016 Mar.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-26765146
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Studies evaluating primary care quality across physician gender are limited to primary and secondary prevention.OBJECTIVES:
Investigate the relationship between family physician gender and quality of primary care using indicators that cover 5 key dimensions of primary care. RESEARCHDESIGN:
Cross-sectional analysis using linked health administrative datasets (April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2010).SUBJECTS:
All family physicians working in the 3 main primary care models in the province of Ontario (Canada), providing general care and having a panel size >1200.MEASURES:
Indicators of cancer screening (3), chronic disease management (9), continuity (2), comprehensiveness (2), and access (5).RESULTS:
A total of 4195 physicians (31% female) were eligible. Adjusting for provider and patient factors, patients of female physicians were more likely to have received recommended cancer screening (odds ratios [95% confidence interval (CI)] (OR) range 1.24 [1.18-1.30], 1.85 [1.78-1.92]) and diabetes management (OR 1.04 [1.01-1.08], 1.28 [1.05-1.57]). They had fewer emergency room visits (rate ratio [95% CI] (RR) range 0.83 [0.79-0.87]) and hospitalizations (RR 0.89 [0.86-0.93]), and higher referrals (RR 1.12 [1.09-1.14]). There was evidence of effect modification by patient gender (female vs. male) for hospitalization (RR 0.74 [0.70-0.79] vs. 0.96 [0.90-1.02]) and emergency room visits (RR 0.84 [0.81-0.88] vs. 0.98 [0.94-1.01]). Lower emergency room visits were also more evident in more complex patients of female physicians. There were no significant differences in the continuity or comprehensiveness measures.CONCLUSIONS:
The indicators assessed in this study point to a benefit for patients under the care of female physicians. Potential explanations are discussed.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Médicos de Família
/
Atenção Primária à Saúde
/
Indicadores de Qualidade em Assistência à Saúde
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
/
Screening_studies
Limite:
Adult
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Aged
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Female
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Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
País/Região como assunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Med Care
Ano de publicação:
2016
Tipo de documento:
Article