A new study from Yale researchers suggests it may matter whether your doctor is a Democrat or a Republican.
The study in the journal PNAS surveyed thousands of primary care doctors and also looked at their voter registration records. On most health issues, their party affiliation made no difference, but lead author Eitan Hersh said there’s one exception:
“We found that on politicized health issues like abortion or marijuana use, Democratic and Republican doctors are thinking about the issues differently and they’re recommending different kinds of treatment plans,” said Hersh.
Hersh said doctors should be aware that politics may affect their professional judgments — and patients should know that can happen too.
