Female Doctors: More Time, Less Pay in Ontario

Female family physicians in Ontario are dedicating 15 to 20 percent more time with patients compared to their male counterparts, a recent study indicates. For nearly all commonly billed services, female doctors spend approximately four minutes longer per appointment, resulting in a situation where a female physician would need to work an additional two hours daily to achieve the same income as a male colleague. This disparity is a significant contributor to overwork and burnout among female physicians.

Researchers suggest that female physicians often employ more empathetic communication styles, fostering patient trust and leading to patients presenting more complex psychosocial and social issues. Patients, particularly women, often seek female physicians for enhanced emotional support and understanding, recognizing that women are more likely to manage medically and socially complex cases. This dedication to comprehensive patient care, including non-traditional methods like affirmations and emotional support, makes a substantial difference in patient experience.

The study underscores the persistent gender wage gap in medicine. To address this, experts advocate for a shift in the payment system away from a focus on throughput and volume towards recognizing quality and time. Modernizing payment structures, potentially adopting a tiered system that compensates doctors for their time rather than the number of services, is crucial for equitable compensation and to mitigate physician burnout.