Orthopaedic Surgeon Gender: No Bearing on Patient Outcomes

While men continue to greatly outnumber women in the field of orthopaedic surgery, especially in the subspecialty of hip and knee joint replacement, a recent study shows they do not have fewer post-surgical complications than their female colleagues.

Antonia F. Chen, MD/MBA, an investigator on the Level III prognostic retrospective case-control study, is director of research for the Division of Adult Reconstruction and Total Joint Arthroplasty in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. She said her interest in the topic was prompted by an earlier study in Canada, which found no gender-based differences in patient outcomes or complications among surgeons conducting general and other specialty surgeries.

“I wanted to dig deeper and find out if the same held true for U.S. surgeons, and particularly for orthopaedic surgeons conducting total joint arthroplasty procedures, where there are even fewer females than in general surgery,” she said. “I am one of only two female arthroplasty surgeons practicing in an academic setting in the entire Boston area, so this study has particular relevance for my practice in terms of what we can do to make patients more comfortable with female orthopaedic surgeons.”

Volume and Experience Count in Knee and Hip Arthroplasties

The study analyzed surgical outcome data from nearly 9,000 surgeons who had performed at least 20 primary knee or hip arthroplasties from 2009 to 2013. Overall, the female surgeons — only two percent of the population studied — averaged fewer arthroplasties and were earlier in their practice than their male counterparts. Their gender, however, did not have a negative impact on their surgical outcomes.

“We found that complication rates depended on the volume of surgeries conducted,” Dr. Chen said. “Surgeons who conduct more surgeries and have more experience tend to have lower rates of complications, regardless of their gender.”

By Antonia F. Chen, MD | Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Image Credit: Antonia F. Chen, MD | Brigham and Women’s Hospital

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Peter Coffaro is a growth-driven and strategic executive with over 25 years of progressive management success in the medical device industry. With a proven track record and recognized expertise, Peter has established himself as one of the top influencers in medical sales, as acknowledged by prestigious publications such as the World Journal of Orthopedics, Exponential Healthtech, and MedReps.com. Throughout his career, Peter has accumulated 10 years of combined sales management experience, excelling in various roles including Director, General Manager, Distributor, and Vice President. He has worked for industry-leading orthopedic companies such as Zimmer, DePuy, and Stryker, solidifying his deep knowledge and network within the field. Peter’s passion for innovation and emerging technologies led him to found OrthoFeed, an award-winning blog covering digital orthopedic news and emerging medical technologies. Through this platform, he stays at the forefront of the industry and contributes to the dissemination of valuable insights. Peter is a three-time Hall of Fame award winner at Johnson and Johnson, demonstrating his exceptional contributions and impact on the organization. His expertise extends to areas such as organizational development, business development, sales management, digital marketing, and professional education. Peter earned a B.S. degree in Biology and Chemistry from Northern Illinois University, further complementing his comprehensive understanding of the medical field. With his wealth of experience, strategic mindset, and dedication to advancing healthcare, Peter Coffaro is a valuable asset and leader in the medical device industry.

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