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What influences midwives in estimating labour pain?
A C de C Williams1, J Morris, K Stevens
1Research Department of Clinical, Education and Health Psychology, University College London, UK. amanda.williams@ucl.ac.uk
European Journal of Pain (London, England)
|April 25, 2012
Summary
Midwives' personal traits, like empathy and experience, influence their pain estimates for laboring women. These pain perceptions can impact patient care decisions.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Pain Management
- Healthcare Professional Studies
Background:
- Clinician pain estimation is crucial for patient care.
- Healthcare provider and patient characteristics affect pain perception.
- Understanding these factors is key to equitable pain management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how midwives' characteristics influence their estimation of labor pain.
- To explore the relationship between midwife empathy, experience, and pain/anxiety ratings.
- To examine midwives' beliefs about ethnicity and pain expression.
Main Methods:
- Sixty-six midwives assessed pain and anxiety in laboring women via video.
- Midwives completed empathy measures and rated ethnic similarity to patients.
- Beliefs on ethnicity and pain expression were recorded.
Main Results:
- Midwife pain and anxiety estimates were correlated.
- Greater professional experience correlated with lower pain estimates.
- Higher personal birth experience and empathy components predicted higher pain estimates.
Conclusions:
- Midwives' personal characteristics, including empathy and experience, can bias pain estimation.
- Biased pain perception by clinicians may influence treatment decisions for laboring women.
- Further research needed to address potential biases in pain management.
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