Dr. Mike Oller and his wife, Dr. Beth Oller, practice medicine together. | Contributed photo
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Keri Carbaugh | Jan 19, 2017

Study shows female doctors receive better result, lower pay

Female doctors are more evidence-based in their diagnoses and follow clinical recommendations more closely than their male peers, achieving better outcomes according to a study from December 2016 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

The American Academy of Family Physicians recently spoke with Dr. Mike Oller and his wife, Dr. Beth Oller, who practice medicine together, to discuss the role gender has on health care, communication and pay.

“One thing that struck me as interesting is that medical classes are half female, but we're only a third of the work force,” Beth Oller said regarding the JAMA study. “I think if we looked at it we would find that the same traits that might make women better physicians -- the things that they talk about in the study, like paying a lot of attention, following evidence and having more time to discuss things with patients more carefully -- are also the reasons that you see the drop from half to a third.”

Mike Oller thought it was troubling because he doesn’t think he gives inferior care, nor does he think he’s robbing the system of money.

“I would wager that the women in the study are likely not more valued by their institutions for their better care but seen as less cost-efficient because their care takes longer.” Beth Oller said when asked about the study’s conclusion that women are paid less.

“Some people don't have to be good communicators because they're so good at what they do” Mike Oller said. “I have to communicate better because people look at me and, right out of the gate, they are not going to listen to me unless I use every potential talent I have to communicate.”

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