Is your doc playing fair? Female physicians are more likely to successfully follow clinical guidelines—instructions on how to treat medical conditions—than their male counterparts, according to recent Canadian research.
In the study, patients with diabetes were slightly more likely to receive recommended medications if they saw woman doctors. And the younger the physician, the more often he or she followed directions.
Of course you don’t need to seek out only fresh-faced female doctors—the differences weren’t huge, says study coauthor Régis Blais, Ph.D. But before your book your next visit, make sure to check the following criteria:
- Travel schedule. Docs who attend medical conferences tend to stay up to date on the newest research, Blais says.
- Membership cards. Physicians affiliated with their specialty organizations—say, the American College of Cardiology—have access to continuing education and updated guidelines.
- Certifications. Legally, doctors only need a state medical license to practice. But a board-certified physician undergoes extra training, passes a test, and has continuing education requirements in his or her specialty, whether it’s family practice or neurosurgery. You can check board certification online through the American Board of Medical Specialties.
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