What impact have women physicians had on women's health?

The proportion of women in medicine in the United States is approaching that of men, but women physicians are still the minority in positions of power. Research has shown that women physicians order more preventive tests for women patients, are more attuned to patients' psychosocial needs, and have developed more patient-oriented communication styles than men physicians. Recent organized efforts of women physicians have brought attention to many gender gaps in medical research and practice. If more women move into policy-making positions, especially in education and research, their gender-sensitive perspective could permanently influence the profession as a whole.