Parameters of Pain Care: Mitigating Racial Disparities in Patients with Chronic Pain

Parameters of Pain Care: Mitigating Racial Disparities in Patients with Chronic Pain is organized by CME Outfitters, LLC.

Course Release Date: Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Course Expiration Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024

Statement of Need:
Pain care disparities exist across medical specialties and settings, with Black and Hispanic patients receiving less analgesia for fractures and musculoskeletal pain in emergency rooms than White patients, and pregnant women from minority backgrounds receiving less optimal pain reduction during delivery. As undertreatment of pain contributes to medical mistrust, overuse of OTC medications, disease progression, worsening pain, and lower quality of life, it is imperative that clinicians are aware of the prevalence and impact of pain care disparities, and identify and address biases, discrimination, and stereotypes that lead to this form of structural violence against minority populations.

This CMEOCast episode will highlight the root causes of health disparities in pain care and identify best practices for addressing structural and interpersonal racism that causes inequitable pain management, to improve awareness of and address clinician biases in pain care for patients from racial minority backgrounds.

Learning Objectives:
At the end of this CME/CE activity, participants should be able to:
• Identify factors contributing to disparities in pain management.
• Identify strategies to provide equitable pain management for all patients.