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Updated: Jun 23, 2026
07:28
Psychophysically-anchored, Robust Thresholding in Studying Pain-related Lateralization of Oscillatory Prestimulus Activity
Published on: January 21, 2017
Pain and prejudice.
Devi E Nampiaparampil1, Joseph X Nampiaparampil, R Norman Harden
1Division of Pain Medicine, VA Hudson Valley Healthcare System, Castle Point, New York, USA. devichechi@gmail.com
Pain Medicine (Malden, Mass.)
|May 21, 2009
Summary
Physician characteristics significantly impact pain management decisions. Patient race and socioeconomic status (SES) also showed trends toward influencing treatment choices in chronic pain.
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Pain management
- Health equity
Background:
- Physician characteristics and patient demographics may influence chronic pain management.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for equitable treatment in chronic low back pain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between physician traits and pain management strategies.
- To investigate the impact of patient race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status (SES) on treatment decisions for chronic low back pain.
Main Methods:
- A double-blinded randomized controlled trial using a survey instrument.
- Ninety physicians were presented with two patient scenarios differing in race/ethnicity and insurance status.
- Physician demographic variables and patient characteristics were analyzed for their effect on treatment preferences.
Main Results:
- Physician specialty, gender, ethnicity, and professional status significantly influenced treatment plans, including analgesic prescriptions and invasive therapy referrals.
- Patient ethnicity and SES showed a trend towards significance in opioid prescription decisions.
Conclusions:
- This pilot study is the first randomized controlled trial to assess patient and treatment variables in chronic pain management.
- Physician and patient demographic variables appear to influence pain management decisions, highlighting potential disparities.
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