Achieving Equity in the Management of Chronic Pain: Treating the Whole Patient
Achieving Equity in the Management of Chronic Pain: Treating the Whole Patient is organized by CME Outfitters, LLC.
Course Release Date: Thursday, January 13, 2022
Credit Expiration Date: Monday, January 13, 2025
Statement of Need:
Patients from racial and ethnic minority populations consistently receive less adequate treatment for acute and chronic pain than White patients, even after controlling for age, gender, pain intensity, and access to health care. Inadequate pain care can lead to comorbidities, such as depression, and cause reduced quality of life. Race and socio-economic status are linked to pain intensity underreporting and increased pain experience, and Black and Hispanic patients are systemically undertreated for pain. Healthcare professionals’ biases contribute to such disparities and may reflect limited awareness of pain care inequities and stereotypes regarding pain, minority individuals, and the use of narcotic analgesics.
This CME Outfitters BriefCase activity will present three case studies focusing on African American and minority patients and the struggles they face in seeking care for acute or chronic pain, with the goals of illustrating pain care disparities and guiding clinicians to recognize biases and social determinants of health in patients suffering from pain. This activity includes the best practices to use when screening for risk factors and how to develop care plans based on specific health needs.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this CME/CE activity, participants should be able to:
• Integrate strategies to provide equitable pain management for all patients.