Published 7 hours ago,
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According to a recent study, the waiting time for emergency services is significantly longer for women than for men. A difference that is not without consequences on their health.
Yes, medical care can be influenced by gender. We already knew that more women than men did not dare to ask their doctor about all the questions they ask themselves. We now discover that according to a recent American study published on May 18, 2022 in the scientific journal Jama Network, they are less well taken care of in emergencies.
Unequal support
To reach this conclusion, the scientists analyzed data from the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Trauma Care Quality Improvement Project (TQIP) from 2013 to 2016. These included a analysis of 28,000 patients (including 20,000 men and 8,330 women) treated in the emergency room for serious injuries, such as fractures of the pelvis, femur, spine and/or head trauma.
For the researchers, the results of this study are clear: the speed of surgical care after trauma differed by gender. Women who came to the emergency room waited an average of three hours before being treated, compared to two hours and 52 minutes for men.
Women also had to wait three minutes longer than men before being “assessed and prioritized for emergency care“. On average, they waited 52 minutes, compared to 49 minutes for men.
The gap seems small, and yet, these few minutes are precious in the event of a life-threatening emergency.
“These findings suggest potential gaps in care that could be excellent targets for improving the quality of existing assessment and discharge planning processes.”conclude the scientists.
Another interesting fact: once taken care of in the emergency room, women were more likely to be transferred to a specialized care facility after a serious trauma.
As this study was carried out in the United States, it is not known whether the results can be transposed to France. Nevertheless, it must alert on the inequalities of care between the two sexes which several studies echo.
Emergency: the care process
First step: editing the file, essential for support. The vital card, an identity document (identity card, passport, driving license) and the contact details of a trusted person will be requested.
The reception organizing nurse will then assess the degree of urgency of the patient’s condition. He performs first aid if necessary. The patient is then directed to a waiting room or examination room.
Then, a doctor comes to consult. He clinically assesses the patient’s state of health and takes him to the waiting area. The patient is then treated.
Returning home is possible when the state of health allows it. Additional examinations are sometimes necessary.