Austria healthcare report reveals gender gap in medical treatment

The ‘Austrian Health Report 2026’ reveals a significant gender gap in how patients experience the healthcare system in Austria. According to the study, conducted by the Institute for Empirical Social Research (IFES) for Sandoz, 44 percent of women reported that their medical symptoms or pain were not taken seriously by doctors, compared to 23 percent of men.

A notable finding is that over one-third of women reported their physical symptoms were attributed to psychological or psychosomatic causes, a rate significantly higher than the 15 percent reported by men. This discrepancy contributes to lower overall satisfaction with the healthcare system, with only 41 percent of women expressing satisfaction compared to 56 percent of men.

The report also highlights disparities in domestic health responsibilities. Among women living with a partner, 67 percent are primarily responsible for managing family health matters, such as scheduling appointments and preventative care, whereas only 44 percent of men share this role. Additionally, 82 percent of respondents believe a socioeconomic divide exists in Austrian medicine, suggesting that wealthier individuals access treatment more quickly. Concerns regarding long waiting times for appointments and surgeries were also noted by 57 percent of citizens.