Women are becoming increasingly present in healthcare, now making up more than a third of active physicians, according to data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). They are especially expanding their presence in specialties such as obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and psychiatry. The number of female medical students is also on the rise; in 2019, women made up 50.5% of medical school enrollees. For the 2023-2024 academic year, that number rose to 54.6%.
Studies have shown that there are advantages to seeing a female doctor. Their presence helps foster diversity in healthcare and can improve patient care, as well as address specific health challenges patients may be facing.
Benefits of seeing PACT female doctors
Research has shown that female doctors spend more time with patients and practice active listening, which can build trust and improve the doctor-patient relationship. Active listening goes beyond just hearing what a patient has to say, but focuses on understanding and engaging with them. When practicing active listening, female doctors ask more clarifying questions and often avoid using medical terminology, favoring plain language instead to increase a patient’s understanding. Female doctors also typically use a patient-centered approach, spending more time with patients and emphasizing preventive care.
Patients—especially women—may also feel more comfortable discussing sensitive subjects like reproductive or mental health issues with female doctors. The increased comfort level can mean the patient will be more likely to share important details that can lead to a better informed treatment plan and improved outcomes.
Having more female doctors in healthcare can also help bring women’s health conditions like endometriosis and maternal health to light, as these conditions have typically been under-researched and under-treated. Female doctors may have a personal understanding of these conditions and can help advocate for better care for their female patients.
Gender bias often leads to women’s symptoms being dismissed or misdiagnosed, especially for conditions where men and women experience different symptoms, such as heart attacks. Female doctors can provide input that helps reduce disparities in treatment and helps validate their female patients’ experiences.
Finding female doctors in CT
You can find female doctors in Connecticut using PACT’s online provider directory to search by gender. Some of the doctors you will find who can work with you on your healthcare journey include:
Lena Wu Rivas, M.D., FACP — PACT Primary Care
Dr. Rivas practices in PACT’s Milford office and is board certified in internal medicine. She is an assistant clinical professor at the Frank H. Netter M.D. School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University. After finishing medical school, Dr. Rivas spent three years working with patients with diabetes in the Patronato de Lucha Contra La Diabetes in Santiago, Dominican Republic.
Helen Ede, M.D. — PACT Primary Care
Dr. Ede practices in PACT’s Madison office and is board certified in family medicine. She works with patients from adolescence to end of life and is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Ede worked for five years at St. Raphael’s Hospital as a cytotechnologist before earning her doctorate of medicine from St. George’s University in Grenada, West Indies.
Renuka Umashanker, M.D. — PACT Gastroenterology Center
Dr. Umashanker practices in PACT’s Hamden and Milford offices. She is board certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine, and is currently accepting new patients. Her special interests include colorectal cancer management, general gastrointestinal diseases, hepatitis C and other liver diseases, and women’s issues in gastroenterology.
Dharini Sun, M.D. — PACT Primary Care
Dr. Sun practices in PACT’s Hamden office. She is board certified in internal medicine. In addition to working at PACT, she is an associate clinical professor at Quinnipiac Medical School. Dr. Sun joined PACT Primary Care Hamden in 2001 and became a partner in 2003.
Specialties to consider
Female doctors excel across various specialties, including primary care, gastroenterology, and rheumatology, and as fecal incontinence surgical specialists.
Female primary care physicians are often noted for their communication skills and empathetic listening, which leads to higher patient satisfaction. Patients are also more likely to adhere to their treatment plans, improving their health outcomes.
Female gastroenterologists are often able to make patients feel more comfortable discussing potentially embarrassing symptoms such as gastrointestinal discomfort or digestive issues. They are able to provide critical patient education around diet and lifestyle changes, and help patients feel supported when it comes to managing complex conditions. More female gastroenterologists can also help reduce the gender gap in colorectal cancer screening rates for female patients, as women may feel more comfortable discussing those screenings with another woman.
Fecal incontinence can bring with it a lot of stigma, and female surgical specialists can provide an empathetic understanding of the condition. Male and female patients may feel more comfortable discussing the issue with a woman, helping encourage early intervention and treatment.
Rheumatological conditions often require long-term care, as patients are typically managing chronic pain or autoimmune disorders. Female rheumatologists can provide compassionate care that builds patient trust and helps improve adherence to treatment plans. They also tend to focus on holistic care and understand the mental and emotional effects on patients’ well-being.
Seeing a female physician offers numerous benefits, particularly in creating a comfortable and supportive environment for patients. They often excel in providing patient-centered care, which is especially beneficial in specialties that require compassionate, long-term care such as rheumatology. Patients may also feel more at ease discussing specific health concerns with a female doctor.
If you are considering a new female doctor, you can use PACT’s online provider directory to find one in your area.
