Improving Emergency Providers' Attitudes Toward Sickle Cell Patients in Pain

Provider biases and negative attitudes are recognized barriers to optimal pain management in sickle cell disease, particularly in the emergency department (ED).

This prospective cohort measures preintervention and postintervention providers' attitudes toward patients with sickle pain crises using a validated survey instrument.

ED providers viewed an eight-minute online video that illustrated challenges in sickle cell pain management, perspectives of patients and providers, as well as misconceptions and stereotypes of which to be wary.

Ninety-six ED providers were enrolled. Negative attitude scoring decreased, with a mean difference -11.5 from baseline, and positive attitudes improved, with a mean difference +10. Endorsement of red-flag behaviors similarly decreased (mean difference -12.8). Results were statistically significant and sustained on repeat testing three months after intervention.

Brief video-based educational interventions can improve emergency providers' attitudes toward patients with sickle pain crises, potentially curtailing pain crises early, improving health outcomes and patient satisfaction scores.