scholarly journals “Brave Men” and “Emotional Women”: A Theory-Guided Literature Review on Gender Bias in Health Care and Gendered Norms towards Patients with Chronic Pain

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anke Samulowitz ◽  
Ida Gremyr ◽  
Erik Eriksson ◽  
Gunnel Hensing
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Gender Bias ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Pain Treatment ◽  
Hegemonic Masculinity ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Review Literature ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Theoretical Concepts

Background. Despite the large body of research on sex differences in pain, there is a lack of knowledge about the influence of gender in the patient-provider encounter. The purpose of this study was to review literature on gendered norms about men and women with pain and gender bias in the treatment of pain. The second aim was to analyze the results guided by the theoretical concepts of hegemonic masculinity and andronormativity. Methods. A literature search of databases was conducted. A total of 77 articles met the inclusion criteria. The included articles were analyzed qualitatively, with an integrative approach. Results. The included studies demonstrated a variety of gendered norms about men’s and women’s experience and expression of pain, their identity, lifestyle, and coping style. Gender bias in pain treatment was identified, as part of the patient-provider encounter and the professional’s treatment decisions. It was discussed how gendered norms are consolidated by hegemonic masculinity and andronormativity. Conclusions. Awareness about gendered norms is important, both in research and clinical practice, in order to counteract gender bias in health care and to support health-care professionals in providing more equitable care that is more capable to meet the need of all patients, men and women.

scholarly journals “Brave men” and “emotional women”: A literature review on gendered norms towards patients with pain

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Samulowitz ◽  
I Gremyr ◽  
E Eriksson ◽  
G Hensing
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Gender Bias ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Gender Stereotypes ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
Search Term ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Societal Norms

Abstract Background More women than men report chronic pain but despite the large body of research on sex differences there is a lack of knowledge on the influence of social and cultural gender. As gender norms can lead to gender bias in health care it is important to raise awareness about them. The purpose of this study was to illustrate gendered norms about men and women with chronic pain in scientific journals, and to analyze how societal norms are reproduced in health care. Methods A literature search of the databases PsycINFO, CINAHL and PubMed was conducted, January 2000 to April 2015, with the search term chronic pain combined with femininity, masculinity, gender bias, gender stereotypes and gender roles. A total of 77 articles met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed qualitatively. The integrative approach enabled a review of articles from both social and medical sciences, and to include qualitative and quantitative research. The material was sorted into theoretical categories and further coded into substantive categories. Results The included articles showed a variety of gendered norms about men’s and women’s experience and expression of pain, their identity, lifestyle and coping style. Women were described as emotional and hysterical, constantly dealing with mistrust from health care. Men were pictured as brave, stoic and struggling with their sense of masculinity. Prevailing societal norms are consolidated in health care, positioning the masculine man as the ideal patient. Conclusions Gender stereotypes are reproduced in healthcare, which can lead to gender bias in the treatment of patients with pain. The findings were used to develop a tool, “the pain cube”, aimed to improve health care providers’ consciousness about gendered norms. Key messages Men and women with chronic pain are depicted in a stereotypical way in scientific articles. Increased awareness about gendered norms can support health care professionals in providing equitable care.

scholarly journals Interventions to Reduce Adult Nursing Turnover: A Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 108-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Halter ◽  
Ferruccio Pelone ◽  
Olga Boiko ◽  
Carole Beighton ◽  
Ruth Harris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Review Literature ◽  
Adult Health ◽  
Turnover Rates ◽  
Care Systems

Background: Nurse turnover is an issue of concern in health care systems internationally. Understanding which interventions are effective to reduce turnover rates is important to managers and health care organisations. Despite a plethora of reviews of such interventions, strength of evidence is hard to determine. Objective: We aimed to review literature on interventions to reduce turnover in nurses working in the adult health care services in developed economies. Method: We conducted an overview (systematic review of systematic reviews) using the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts, CINAHL plus and SCOPUS and forward searching. We included reviews published between 1990 and January 2015 in English. We carried out parallel blinded selection, extraction of data and assessment of bias, using the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews. We carried out a narrative synthesis. Results: Despite the large body of published reviews, only seven reviews met the inclusion criteria. These provide moderate quality review evidence, albeit from poorly controlled primary studies. They provide evidence of effect of a small number of interventions which decrease turnover or increase retention of nurses, these being preceptorship of new graduates and leadership for group cohesion. Conclusion: We highlight that a large body of reviews does not equate with a large body of high quality evidence. Agreement as to the measures and terminology to be used together with well-designed, funded primary research to provide robust evidence for nurse and human resource managers to base their nurse retention strategies on is urgently required.

An Integrative Approach to Abdominal Pain

2019 ◽  
pp. 339-362
Author(s):  
Marika Alois ◽  
Terry Kit Selfe ◽  
Irene M. Estores
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Abdominal Pain ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Gastrointestinal Disease ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Integrative Health ◽  
Bowel Diseases ◽  
Centered Care ◽  
Functional Gastrointestinal Disease

This chapter discusses abdominal pain in the context of functional gastrointestinal disease (FGID) and some chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, recognizing the huge burden it places on the health care system and emotional costs to patients and health care professionals. It presents a review of several modalities that include mind–body medicine practices, natural products, botanicals, manual and movement-based therapies, and pharmaceuticals that can be used as part of an integrative health plan for patients presenting with FGID and abdominal pain. It describes an integrative approach that weaves in concepts of patient-centered care, effective communication, empathic listening, mindfulness, and evidence-informed practice.

scholarly journals Estimating Implicit and Explicit Gender Bias Among Health Care Professionals and Surgeons

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (7) ◽  
pp. e196545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arghavan Salles ◽  
Michael Awad ◽  
Laurel Goldin ◽  
Kelsey Krus ◽  
Jin Vivian Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Gender Bias ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Implicit And Explicit

Policy Issues and Imperatives in the Use of Opioids to Treat Pain in Substance Abusers

1994 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 215-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
David E. Joranson ◽  
Aaron M. Gilson
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
General Population ◽  
Cancer Pain ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Substance Abusers ◽  
Pain Treatment ◽  
Pain Mechanisms ◽  
Policy Issues ◽  
The Past ◽  
To Receive

A great deal has been learned in the past fifteen years from the study of pain mechanisms. More recently, the relief of pain has begun to receive much needed attention as well. Although most, if not all, acute and cancer pain can be relieved, recent evidence shows that inadequate treatment of pain is still common among the general population—even for pain due to cancer. Inadequate treatment of cancer pain is even more likely if the patient is a member of an ethnic minority, female, elderly, or a child. Evidence also suggests that substance abusers are at risk for poor pain treatment.A number of barriers which involve problems of knowledge, attitudes, and laws and regulations affect health care professionals, patients, and the health care system; collectively, they contribute to the inadequate treatment of pain.

Identifying and Assessing Overlapping Chronic Pain and Mental Illness

2020 ◽  
pp. 79-91
Author(s):  
Glenn J. Treisman
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Life Skills ◽  
Pain Treatment ◽  
Functional Rehabilitation ◽  
Clinical Appearance ◽  
Limited Life ◽  
Psychiatric Conditions

Psychiatric comorbidity profoundly affects outcomes in chronic pain. Chronic pain alters the clinical appearance of psychiatric conditions. Problems of poor coping, limited life skills, poor social and behavioral modeling, limited resources, and poor self-efficacy all can complicate and exacerbate chronic pain disorders. Operant and classical mechanisms with inadvertent rewards for illness-related behaviors condition the behaviors associated with chronic pain. Iatrogenic addiction can also make it difficult for patients to engage in functional rehabilitation. Features of temperament, including extraversion and instability, lead to maladaptive responses to managing pain and difficulty engaging with physicians and health care professionals. Lastly, diseases of mood decrease the normal capacity to experience rewards associated with healthy behavior and divert patients toward avoidance coping, nihilistic views of recovery, and disengagement from support systems and medical care. A coherent and comprehensive diagnostic formulation including these elements leads to effective interdisciplinary rehabilitative pain treatment.

scholarly journals Role of Health Care Professionals in Multidisciplinary Pain Treatment Facilities in Canada

2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 484-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Peng ◽  
Jennifer N Stinson ◽  
Manon Choiniere ◽  
Dominique Dion ◽  
Howard Intrater ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Pain Treatment ◽  
Medical Specialty ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Patient Assessment ◽  
Treatment Facilities ◽  
Multidisciplinary Pain Treatment

PURPOSE: To examine the role of health care professionals in multidisciplinary pain treatment facilities (MPTF) for the treatment of chronic pain across Canada.METHODS: MPTF were defined as clinics that advertised specialized multidisciplinary services for the diagnosis and management of chronic pain, and had staff from a minimum of three different health care disciplines (including at least one medical specialty) available and integrated within the facility. Administrative leaders at eligible MPTF were asked to complete a detailed questionnaire on their infrastructure as well as clinical, research, teaching and administrative activities.RESULTS: A total of 102 MPTF returned the questionnaires. General practitioners, anesthesiologists and physiatrists were the most common types of physicians integrated in the MPTF (56%, 51% and 32%, respectively). Physiotherapists, psychologists and nurses were the most common nonphysician professionals working within these MPTF (75%, 68% and 57%, respectively), but 33% to 56% of them were part-time staff. Only 77% of the MPTF held regular interdisciplinary meetings to discuss patient management, and 32% were staffed with either a psychologist or psychiatrist. The three most frequent services provided by physiotherapists were patient assessment, individual physiotherapy or exercise, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. The three most common services provided by psychologists were individual counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy and psychodynamic therapy. The major roles of nurses were patient assessment, assisting in interventional procedures and patient education.CONCLUSION: Different health care professionals play a variety of important roles in MPTF in Canada. However, few of them are involved on a full-time basis and the extent to which pain is assessed and treated in a truly multidisciplinary manner is questionable.

Gender Differences in Older Adults’ Perceptions of Falls and Fall Prevention

2021 ◽  
pp. 152483992110097
Author(s):  
Susan Patton ◽  
Jennifer Vincenzo ◽  
Leanne Lefler
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Traditional Role ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Care Systems

Aim To explore gender differences in older adults’ perceptions about preventing falls. Background Falls are a major problem for older adults and health care systems and a challenge to the aging population. Consideration of older adults’ perceptions of fall prevention is needed to increase their engagement in evidence-based prevention strategies. Method A qualitative analysis of secondary data was performed. Results Three major themes emerged: We’ve Seen It, Women Are Caregivers, and Men Are Analyzing Risks and Modifying Behaviors. The men and women in this study shared information about falls and fall prevention in alignment with traditional role expectations. The women learned about falling through their roles as caregivers and prevented falls by controlling extrinsic risk factors indoors such as holding onto handrails on stairs or making home modifications. The men demonstrated an analytical approach to reducing risk such as employing improved safety measures during outdoors activities as a responsibility to maintain independence. Implications The different perceptions of men and women influence what they do to engage in fall prevention. Health care professionals need to consider gender differences and take an individualized approach that includes allowing older adults to share their experiences, acknowledging their successful fall prevention behaviors, and validating and addressing their concerns.

Overcoming Barriers in Cancer Pain Management

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (16) ◽  
pp. 1727-1733 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung Hye Kwon
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Pain Management ◽  
Cancer Pain ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Pain Treatment ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
Cognitive Factors ◽  
Cancer Pain Management ◽  
Affective Factors

Pain is a devastating symptom of cancer that affects the quality of life of patients, families, and caregivers. It is a multidimensional symptom that includes physical, psychosocial, emotional, and spiritual components. Despite the development of novel analgesics and updated pain guidelines, cancer pain remains undermanaged, and some patients with moderate to severe pain do not receive adequate pain treatment. Inadequate pain management can be attributed to barriers related to health care professionals, patients, and the health care system. Common professional-related barriers include poor pain assessment, lack of knowledge and skill, and the reluctance of physicians to prescribe opioids. Patient-related barriers include cognitive factors, affective factors, and adherence to analgesic regimens. System-related barriers such as limits on access to opioids and the availability of pain and palliative care specialists present additional challenges, particularly in resource-poor regions. Given the multidimensional nature of cancer pain and the multifaceted barriers involved, effective pain control mandates multidisciplinary interventions from interprofessional teams. Educational interventions for patients and health care professionals may improve the success of pain management.

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