University of St Andrews research reveals gender bias in medical treatment

A new research review published in PLOS One by experts from the University of St Andrews has identified a persistent pattern of gender-based disparities in medical treatment. The study, which analyzed multiple medical records and published studies, found that female patients are significantly less likely to receive intensive or invasive interventions compared to men.

Key findings indicate that women are less frequently offered surgical procedures, stent placements, or strong painkillers. These disparities were observed across various medical specialties, including cardiology, surgery, transplantation, and emergency care. For instance, in cases of cardiovascular disease, women are more likely to receive conservative pharmacological treatment, whereas men are more frequently offered invasive procedures like bypass surgery.

In Parkinson’s disease research, men were more likely to be referred for deep brain stimulation, while women were less likely to receive transplants or surgery. Researchers noted that while clinical guidelines do not recommend different treatments based on gender, medical professionals often attribute women’s symptoms to anxiety, leading to potential misdiagnosis or undertreatment. Dr. Andrew O’Malley, a lead researcher, emphasized that these findings serve as a reminder for clinicians to base treatment on clinical data rather than assumptions.