Clinical Scorecard: Female patients less likely to receive invasive care

At a Glance

Key Highlights

• Female patients are less likely to receive invasive treatments compared to male patients.
• 87% of retrospective studies reported significant treatment differences based on sex.
• Cardiovascular studies showed females receiving more conservative management.
• Male patients were more likely to receive referrals for procedures like deep brain stimulation.
• Differences in treatment did not consistently indicate inequity.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

• Consider sex as a factor in clinical decision-making.

Management

• Evaluate treatment approaches for potential sex-based disparities.

Monitoring & Follow-up

• Monitor outcomes by sex to assess treatment effectiveness.

Risks

• Recognize potential systemic inequities affecting treatment access.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Patients evaluated across various specialties, including cardiovascular and emergency medicine.

Female patients often receive less invasive care and may have different treatment outcomes.

Clinical Best Practices

• Incorporate sex-specific clinical guidelines in treatment assessments.
• Conduct prospective studies with robust adjustment for confounders.
• Address intersectional characteristics in patient management.

Related Resources & Content

• PLOS One