Up to 50 percent of medical professionals, like the lay people, believe there are biological differences between the Caucasian and African-American patients' bodies when it comes to pain perception. How much of that is truth and how much is myths and misconceptions is debunked in this episode.

I also explore the factors contributing to the well documented disparities in assessment and management of pain amongst the African-American and black populations. More importantly, I recommend solutions at the individual and broader systems level to improve the pain care for these patients.

Takeaways in This Episode

Factors that may determine the quality and quantity of care a black patient may receive. Racial disparities in pain care and how they show up Historic perspective on pain perception, threshold and tolerance of pain among African American and black population  Factors contributing to pain care disparities for African American and black patients In-group bias and how it impacts pain care Why everyone in healthcare should take the Implicit Association Test and what that means Ways to address pain care disparities at individual and systems level

 

Links

Pedia Pain Focus Episode # 47. Reliving or Relieving Children's Pain

Pedia Pain Focus Episode # 48. Making Best Pain Care Everywhere Achievable

Enroll in Proactive Pain Solutions Physicians Academy

CDC Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids

Implicit Association Test

IASP

Proactive Pain Solutions