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  • Title: Effect of physician gender and specialty on utilization of hysterectomy in New York, 2001-2005.
    Author: Gretz H, Bradley WH, Zakashansky K, Nezhat F, Bohren DL, Kreiger K, Rubin E, Sokolow A.
    Journal: Am J Obstet Gynecol; 2008 Oct; 199(4):347.e1-6. PubMed ID: 18639208.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of physician gender and specialty on the utilization of hysterectomy and alternatives to hysterectomy. STUDY DESIGN: The database of Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield was abstracted for all claims relating to a hysterectomy procedure or a hysterectomy-associated diagnosis during the 48 consecutive months May 2001-April 2005. Two hundred ninety-five thousand, one hundred forty-eight claim lines were abstracted and analyzed by CPT and diagnostic grouping codes. RESULTS: One thousand nine hundred seventy-two hysterectomies were performed during the time analyzed, as well as 5077 hysterectomy alternatives. These 7049 procedures represented 2.4% of all coded physician encounters. Male physicians utilize hysterectomy and hysterectomy alternatives at the same rate as female physicians. Physicians who practice gynecology-only or gynecologic oncology utilize laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy more often than their counterparts who practice obstetrics as well as gynecology. CONCLUSION: Gender does not influence the rate of hysterectomy for similar clinical diagnoses. Subspecialty physicians utilize laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomies more frequently than general obstetricians and gynecologists.
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