Women living with chronic pain face many challenges and disparities when it comes to diagnosis and treatment. Bias often is one of the least acknowledged obstacles. But bias—on the part of medical providers and the health care system—if not checked, alters the positive therapeutic relationship a patient should expect, and often affects its outcome.Bias affects how we view the world and how we perceive others.
Stereotyping and stigmatizing are types of bias. When you look at somebody and think,"Because I see this, I must assume that." The perception thatinner-city chronic pain patients are black and are drug-seeking, or worse yet, are diverting their pain medications, is one example of a harmful stereotype that affects appropriate care delivery.
So, even if you get a prescription for your chronic pain, that pharmacy may choose not to have it. Systemic variability, like these examples of institutional barriers, are more common for black women patients.Research shows that health care providers' attitudes toward women, minorities and pain itself, especially the cause of pain, play a role in how those with chronic pain are assessed and treated.
Bias should not affect interactions between health care providers and patients, but it can and does. And, it is a two-way street. I believe patients want me to be objective, fair and competent in how I assess their pain and make treatment recommendations. I hope they expect high-quality care.