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Gender and Ethnic Issues in Chronic Pain

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Book cover Chronic Pain

Part of the book series: Current Clinical Practice ((CCP))

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Abstract

Mrs. Thomas is a 65-year-old Mexican-American woman who has lived in the United States with her family for the past 30 years. She is troubled with disabling arthritis in her lower extremities, which interferes with her ability to perform household chores and care for her three active grandchildren. She comes to the doctor in tears, asking if there is some additional therapy she can use besides ibuprofen. Mrs. Thomas’ daughter and two of the grandchildren accompany her to the appointment and also describe Mrs. Thomas’ severe pain, explaining that she is often heard praying for relief and moaning with pain. Her daughter also notes that Mrs. Thomas has talked about seeing a curandero, a traditional healer in their community, if the doctor can’t offer any additional therapy. Mrs. Thomas’ doctor feels annoyed at what he perceives to be a threat of seeking care with an additional practitioner, hearing the message, “Even someone with no real medical training would be better than you!” He is concerned that Mrs. Thomas is exaggerating the severity of her pain complaints in order to obtain opioid prescriptions, and recommends that she continue using ibuprofen.

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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Pain Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

    Dawn A. Marcus MD

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© 2005 Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ

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(2005). Gender and Ethnic Issues in Chronic Pain. In: Marcus, D.A. (eds) Chronic Pain. Current Clinical Practice. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-882-X:219

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-882-X:219

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-501-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-882-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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