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Surgeon Sex and Postoperative Resource Utilization: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Kiyan Heybati1, Raj Satkunasivam2,3,4, Khatereh Aminoltejari5
1From the Alix School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
Summary
Patients treated by male surgeons used more postoperative healthcare resources, primarily home care, compared to those with female surgeons. This highlights potential differences in surgical practice patterns and resource utilization.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare research
- Surgical outcomes
- Health services research
Background:
- Previous studies suggest female physicians' patients have better outcomes and lower costs.
- Understanding resource utilization differences can reveal insights into care pathways and practice patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between surgeon sex and postoperative healthcare resource use.
- To analyze resource utilization in patients undergoing common surgeries in Ontario, Canada.
Main Methods:
- Population-based, retrospective cohort study of adult patients (≥18 years).
- Included 1,100,193 patients undergoing 1 of 25 common surgeries (2007-2019).
- Primary outcome: utilization of ICU, medical interventions, or discharge care needs within 30 days, adjusted with multivariable generalized estimating equations.
Main Results:
- Patients of male surgeons had higher postoperative resource utilization at 30 days, 90 days, and 1 year.
- Male surgeons' patients were significantly more likely to use postoperative resources (OR: 1.14; P=0.010).
- This difference was mainly driven by higher home care use (OR: 1.13; P=0.002) for male surgeons' patients.
Conclusions:
- Male surgeons' patients utilized more postoperative resources, predominantly home care.
- Further mixed-methods research is needed to explore surgical outcomes, patient preferences, and decision-making factors.
