Article: African Americans Less Likely To Choose Epidurals For Post Operative Pain Relief
February 1, 2008 by Marijke Durning, RN
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
This article at Medical News Today is interesting. Although epidurals are very good for managing post-operative pain, certain populations are reluctant to use them.
I think research like this is important because if we can understand why people do or don’t do something, we can learn ways to help them learn and understand why procedures or medications are recommended.
Here is the article: African Americans Less Likely To Choose Epidurals For Post Operative Pain Relief
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Technorati Tags: epidurals,pain management
We have two adopted African American children and when my son had major hip surgery he was denied an epidural due to his race and his CP. I filed a complaint against him at the hospital. His was reprimanded and everyone apologized. He is still at the hospital but watched very closely.
I on the other hand was denied adequate pain control from an African American anesthesiologist during a very painful surgery. I woke up screaming in pain because he didn’t want to work late and knew the pain would get me awake sooner so he could go home. Both are still working at CHOI in Peoria, IL.
I’m sorry you had those experiences Michele. The only thing I would suggest is that I’ve met professionals of all races who would rather not work late.
I think the point of the study was not a divide as to how African-Americans are treated or treat others, but their willingness to accept such treatment and the importance of why the medical community try to understand their reasoning.