Female cardiologists are in highest demand among female patients after multiple studies showed female heart attack symptoms are missed by male doctors at significantly higher rates. The gender of the treating physician affects outcomes.
What the research shows
Female heart attack patients treated by female doctors have higher survival rates. Female patients are more likely to receive guideline-recommended treatment from female cardiologists. The pattern persists across multiple studies and geographies.
Implications
Women patients increasingly seeking female specialists. Medical schools recruiting more women into cardiology (and other male-dominated specialties). Workforce planning catching up to patient demand.
The 'doctor is a doctor' framing is being increasingly questioned. Gender of treating physician matters for specific outcomes.