Differences in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor Management in Primary Care by Sex of Physician and Patient
Ann Fam Med Tabenkin et al.
8: 25
The Article in Brief
Differences in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor Management in Primary Care by Sex of Physician and Patient
Charles B. Eaton
, and colleagues
Background Previous research suggests that there may be disparities by sex in the ways that doctors manage cardiovascular disease and its risk factors. This study looks at the role that the sex of the doctor and patient play in the management of cardiovascular disease risk factors.
What This Study Found This study finds that women doctors provide more preventive counseling for cardiovascular risk factors, including diet, weight loss, and physical activity. Women patients, regardless of the sex of their doctor, are less likely to receive drug therapy for diabetes management, including glucose-lowering medications, ACE inhibitor therapy and aspirin therapy. Quality of care (measured by whether patients meet treatment goals for cardiovascular disease risk factors), however, is similar regardless of the sex of the patient or physician.
Implications
- Future research is needed to explore whether stylistic differences in cardiovascular disease risk factor management have a long-term impact on clinical outcomes, such as heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, and death.
