What is it about?
This research article examines racial disparities in how doctors prescribe opioid pain medications. The study analyzed 171 doctor-patient conversations and found that patients from racial and ethnic minority groups were 72% less likely to receive opioid prescriptions. The research revealed a pattern where minority patients faced greater scrutiny and resistance when seeking pain treatment, even when reporting severe pain, while white-identifying patients typically experienced more relaxed prescribing practices with greater autonomy in treatment decisions. These findings contribute to the growing evidence of healthcare inequities in pain management across different communities.
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Why is it important?
This study is important because it (1) provides a comprehensive analysis of actual doctor-patient conversations to examine racial disparities in opioid prescribing, (2) reveals patterns of inequality concerning an epidemic faced daily in America and beyond, (3) identifies exactly when and how physicians exhibit varying levels of scrutiny towards minority patients, and (4) combines qualitative analysis with statistical validation to confirm systematic trends.
Perspectives
This study showed me how differently patients had to advocate for themselves based solely on how their pain is perceived. While the findings are concerning, there is definitely a growing awareness that people who are in pain may not appear to be in as much pain, especially when we are not familiar with the cultural ways people express their hurt.
Dr. Peter Joseph Torres
Arizona State University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Race and gender disparities in pain treatment and opioid prescribing, Social Science & Medicine, June 2025, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118011.
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