THE SEX OF THE GENERAL-PRACTITIONER - A COMPARISON OF CHARACTERISTICS, PATIENTS, AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS MANAGED

In Australia an increasing proportion of active general practitioners (GPs) are women. Overseas research showing differences between male an d female GPs in practice style, the reasons patients consult them, or in the nature of the medical conditions they manage has failed to adju st for confounders. In Australia, such differences have never been inv estigated. This study assessed differences between male and female GPs in terms of their personal characteristics, patient mix, patient reas ons for consultation, and the medical conditions they manage. It also considered the extent to which differences are accounted for by the ef fect of confounders. A secondary analysis was done of data from the Au stralian Morbidity and Treatment Survey 1990 to 1991 (n = 113,000 gene ral practice encounters). In addition, univariate analysis was followe d by multivariate analysis, with adjustments for GP and patient charac teristics and (in analysis of conditions managed) for patient reasons for encounter Significant differences were found in the work patterns and patient mix of male and female GPs. Patients' selectivity in the p roblems presented to the two groups remained after adjustment for conf ounders. Female GPs managed more female-specific, endocrine, general, and psychosocial problems even after multivariate adjustment. Although male GPs managed more cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, male genital, skin, and respiratory problems at the univariate level, these differen ces were no longer apparent after adjustment. Male and female GPs mana ge different types of medical conditions. Although some differences ar e due to their patient mix and to patient selectivity, others are inhe rent to the sex of the physician. Extrapolation of results to Australi an general practice suggests that these two groups of GPs could become semispecialized.