Chronic pain patients may face discrimination from the very healthcare professionals meant to address their needs, and some groups are considerably more exposed to it than others. This article covers how that bias shows up, who it affects, and what can be done.
What discrimination looks like
Discrimination against chronic pain patients takes several forms. The most common is simply not being taken seriously, which leaves patients feeling unheard and invalidated, and often erodes support from friends and family as well as clinicians.
Another form is differential treatment based on the condition itself, whether that means being denied options or receiving less thorough care. Patients are also judged for using medication or other treatments to manage their pain. Chronic pain is a genuine medical condition and warrants the same empathy as any other.
Who is most affected
Certain chronic conditions
People with conditions such as migraine and endometriosis frequently encounter skepticism about whether their pain is real, from clinicians and from those around them. They also see differential treatment in pain management settings, including fewer options offered.
Racial discrimination
Patients of color face documented disparities in pain management. Studies indicate they are less likely to receive adequate pain treatment than white patients and may receive lower-quality care overall. Closing that gap is essential to an equal standard of care.
Transgender and gender non-conforming patients
Transgender and gender non-conforming patients encounter discrimination in pain management, including being refused care or receiving substandard care. Inclusive, affirming environments are a prerequisite for access.
Addressing it when it happens
If you experience discrimination in a pain management setting, you can name it directly and tell the staff that the treatment is unacceptable. You can also file a complaint with your state's office of civil rights, which holds the facility accountable. Sharing your account with advocacy organizations such as the National Pain Report helps raise awareness.
Reducing it
Clinicians can reduce discrimination by educating themselves about chronic pain and how it presents, and by approaching patients with understanding rather than suspicion. A conservative approach to medication and genuine diligence in prescribing are entirely compatible with a supportive, inclusive environment.
Our commitment
Canyon Pain Center is committed to compassionate, inclusive care, particularly for patients who have been dismissed elsewhere. We aim to be a practice where people can access care without expecting to be judged.
Our clinicians work to recognize and address the specific needs of diverse patient populations, including those with contested chronic conditions, patients of color, and transgender and gender non-conforming patients.
We prioritize open communication, so patients feel heard and believed about their own experience of pain, and we build treatment plans around individual needs and preferences.
If you have been turned away or dismissed before, our approach to pain management explains how an evaluation here works. A referral from your medical provider is required to establish care.