An Interview & an Update: Dr. Goree & Healthcare Inequality

PAINWeek: You presented What's Going On? Race, Class, and Gender Issues in Pain Management at the 2020 PAINWeek National Conference. It brought to light that, while overprescription of opioids for a vast majority of Americans may be causing tolerance, opioid use disorder, abuse, and overdose, there’s a small subset whose pain is vastly undertreated. Literature has illuminated major discrepancies in the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic pain in many disadvantaged and underrepresented groups. What, if anything, has changed?

GOREE: What changes have I seen in healthcare discrepancies since I presented my course? Some positive, but some negative. There have been several research trials highlighting the problems for underrepresented minorities in medicine: Lack of access, poorer outcomes, lack of representation. Of course, the fix is challenging. More are devoting resources to this problem, and I know colleagues who are very passionate about it, but resources and more attention are needed.

What has improved? Knowledge of the problems that exist which cause worse outcomes for underrepresented minorities. Unfortunately, the outcomes are still lagging. COVID has probably exacerbated lack of access through the straining of resources and the increase in telemedicine utilization.

I'd like to thank all our PAINWeek faculty and attendees for staying engaged. Every decision that we make daily in our individual clinics can influence access and outcomes for underrepresented minorities. Ensuring that these decisions are for the greater good for the patient and, honestly, for the greater good of all patients is paramount to ensure that outcomes improve across the board.

 

Dr. Goree is an Associate Professor and Director of the Chronic Pain Division at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock.

*Not certified for credit.