Pain remains a misunderstood and mistreated symptom of acute and chronic illness. More than 80% of pain sufferers receive insufficient pain relief, largely due to excessively conservative pharmacological treatment (WHO, 1986). This overly conservative approach likely results from inadequate knowledge and inappropriate attitudes on the part of health care providers about pain and its treatment. Previous laboratory and clinical studies suggest the importance of sex on pain assessments (Robinson & Wise, in press). This proposal aims to explore the influence of sex and gender stereotypes on pain assessments and treatment strategies in a heterogeneous sample of nurses. The proposed study will improve upon past investigations by employing a lens model design. This design will include a combination of case vignettes and video still frames of """"""""patients"""""""" that will be rated along two dimensions: (1) pain, and (2) likelihood of implementing specific pain management practices. Gender stereotype attitudes will also be assessed and analyzed with pain ratings and intervention endorsements to determine their impact on assessments and decision-making. This study will have clear implications for clinical practice and may lead to more concerted education efforts regarding gender differences and treatment practices in pain patients.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31NS049675-02
Application #
6963986
Study Section
Behavioral Medicine, Interventions and Outcomes Study Section (BMIO)
Program Officer
Porter, Linda L
Project Start
2004-09-30
Project End
2007-09-29
Budget Start
2005-09-01
Budget End
2006-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$28,664
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Florida
Department
Other Health Professions
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
969663814
City
Gainesville
State
FL
Country
United States
Zip Code
32611
Hirsh, Adam T; Callander, Sarah B; Robinson, Michael E (2011) Patient demographic characteristics and facial expressions influence nurses' assessment of mood in the context of pain: a virtual human and lens model investigation. Int J Nurs Stud 48:1330-8
Hirsh, Adam T; Jensen, Mark P; Robinson, Michael E (2010) Evaluation of nurses' self-insight into their pain assessment and treatment decisions. J Pain 11:454-61
Hirsh, Adam T; Turner, Aaron P; Ehde, Dawn M et al. (2009) Prevalence and impact of pain in multiple sclerosis: physical and psychologic contributors. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 90:646-51
Hirsh, Adam T; Sears Jr, Samuel F; Conti, Jamie B (2009) Cognitive and behavioral treatments for anxiety and depression in a patient with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD): a case report and clinical discussion. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 16:270-9
Hirsh, Adam T; George, Steven Z; Robinson, Michael E (2009) Pain assessment and treatment disparities: a virtual human technology investigation. Pain 143:106-13
Hirsh, Adam T; George, Steven Z; Bialosky, Joel E et al. (2008) Fear of pain, pain catastrophizing, and acute pain perception: relative prediction and timing of assessment. J Pain 9:806-12
Hirsh, Adam T; Alqudah, Ashraf F; Stutts, Lauren A et al. (2008) Virtual human technology: capturing sex, race, and age influences in individual pain decision policies. Pain 140:231-8