“THE BEST TREATMENT IS RESERVED FOR MEN”
But discrimination disappear if a wear a white coat is a woman
Women with heart failure are treated worse than men. Not only. To affect the quality of treatment is also the sex of the doctor: the white gowns male patients’ better care of their own sex, following the guidelines indicated by the guidelines, that discrimination does not occur when to wear the shirts is a woman. This is shown by a study, published in the “European Journal of Heart Failure”, conducted on 1857 patients enrolled in different centers in Germany. Have been involved 829 white coats of doctors in general medicine (65%), internists (27%), cardiologists (7%).
“We could seek an explanation for these results in the alleged fear of using high doses of drugs in women – says the prof. Roberto Ferrari, President of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) -. But from a scientific point of view is not a valid justification. Moreover, it is seen that when the doctor is female, even better care patients compared with male counterparts. Should be praised women doctor. I believe that the results of this study conducted in Germany can also be extended to our country, even if in Italy we do not have detailed data. “
It is still a long way to go to improve cardiology for women.”From a high – continues the Professor. Ferrari – it is important to enable communication campaigns because women are aware that they are not immune from heart disease. If until menopause are protected exceeded 60 years at a moderate level of cardiovascular risk identical to that of men and more than 70 years even higher. It should be also underlined the lack of consideration of the scientific community against women sick. For example, clinical trials are performed on patients aged 50-60 years with cardiovascular disease, and predominantly men. “To increase the sensitivity on these issues, the ESC has sponsored “A Woman’s Heart”, a campaign, still ongoing, aimed at cardiologists to educate them to pay more attention to women.”And during our conferences – concludes Professor. Ferrari – are always held symposia dedicated to women’s cardiac problems and promote clinical trials involving women. ”