Grant: Project Grant

Sex-and-gender based disparities are known to occur in health care. Research has shown female patients experience different care for similar conditions and presentations when compared to males. Sex-and-gender biases also exist such that female physicians are underrepresented in leadership, lag behind in career advancement, and earn less than male counterparts. These disparities are often referred to as the "Gender Gap" in medicine. A "Gender Gap" also exists with respect to health outcomes, with female physicians being associated with lower mortality, complications and readmission. In fact, it appears physician sex and patient gender may interact. New Canadian research suggests female patients of male surgeons experience poorer outcomes than when female patients are treated by female surgeons. This raises concerns about the quality of Obstetrics & Gynecology care, which is delivered to a biologically female population, who may or may not identify as women. This study uses linked administrative health data, which is routinely collected about all people seeking healthcare, to explore a number of outcomes in the fields of Obstetrics and Gynecology, many of which have not yet been explored through a sex-and-gender lens. Additionally, the study is novel and explores impact of physician sex at time of delivery on a long term post-partum outcome (surgery for pelvic floor disorders). The information generated by this study will provide further evidence about Canada's sex-and-gender disparities in healthcare. Results will be shared with numerous stakeholders, in order to advocate for innovations in policies that will protect female, women and gender-minority patients. Additionally, this work creates a foundation for further research into the causes of sex- and gender-based differences in this discipline, and opportunities to align medical outcomes of male and female physicians through avenues such as undergraduate, post-graduate and continuing medical education.