JAMA Netw Open

Female physicians face gender bias in online reviews

February 19, 2025

Study details: This cross-sectional study analyzed 345,053 online reviews of 167,150 U.S. physicians from 2015 to 2020. The reviews were classified using a natural language processing algorithm to assess comments on interpersonal manner and technical competence, focusing on gender differences.

Results: Female physicians were more likely than male physicians to receive comments on their interpersonal manner, both positive and negative (odds ratio [OR], 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16-1.22). Female PCPs had higher odds of receiving negative comments on interpersonal manner (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.18-1.27) and technical competence (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.04-1.13). Negative comments on technical competence were associated with lower odds of high star ratings for female PCPs (OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.50-0.73) and female surgeons (OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.50-0.89).

Clinical impact: Significant gender biases are apparent in patient reviews, with female physicians, particularly PCPs, facing disproportionate penalties for perceived deficiencies in interpersonal and technical skills. This bias can affect their professional reputation and patient trust, underscoring the need for awareness and potential adjustments in how online reviews are interpreted and utilized in healthcare settings.

Source:

Madanay F, et al. (2025, February 3). JAMA Netw Open. Physician Gender and Patient Perceptions of Interpersonal and Technical Skills in Online Reviews. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39951262/