I need a response to this discussion: When it comes to someones race, gender, or age there can be the opportunity for biases. If you take into consideration the topic of pain. Pain alone can be expressed and treated differently based on someones age, gender, or race. In many studies it was found that healthcare professionals consistently used the demographics of someone to determine the treatment of their pain along with other complaints. In one study specifically is showed meaningful differences across all different demographic groups. Within the study they found that healthcare workers more likely to rate pain higher in male patients versus female patients and also, they were more willing to rate pain higher for an older individual versus someone who was younger. Race was also considered and played a factor in the discussion making of the healthcare professionals that were studied (Wandner et al., 2014) As for my own approach to demographic differences my choice is awareness. I think understanding how someone of a certain culture or background responds to their own healthcare conditions can help you with clinical decision-making education and treatment. If we take the topic of pain as researched in the article above, I will take all things demographic related into consideration. I think understanding that some cultures can be more expressive to pain while others sit very quietly when they are feeling 10/10 pain can help me properly inquire and treat the patient. In thinking of age and gender responses to pain lets think about how women having and Acute MI versus a man can differ. Some having ringing in the ears, or the pain can be more shoulder related than specific to the chest. Again, understanding these differences can help us as healthcare professionals provide the best quality care to our patients. As for how older adults were treated in my family I feel what I experienced growing up and what it is currently has changed. When my grandparents were alive it was very common for us to go visit and to care for them in the home. A nursing home for my family was never an option and I am glad to say it still is not today. However my grandparents were definitely the glue that held us all together and since their passing my family does not care for each other the same. Although we touch base via phone or social media it is very different than being side by side holding each others hands as we managed through difficult times. My grandparents both were cared for and passed between the late 1980s and late 1990s. Now with 2021 here and several other family members gone including my dad and sister I hope one day we return back to the culture that was originally created. Wandner, L. D., Heft, M. W., Lok, B. C., Hirsh, A. T., George, S. Z., Horgas, A. L., Atchison, J. W., Torres, C. A., & Robinson, M. E. (2014). The impact of patients’ gender, race, and age on health care professionals’ pain management decisions: an online survey using virtual human technology. International journal of nursing studies, 51(5), 726733.
