Gender Differences in Pain Management, Research Proposal Example

Problem Statement

Women appear to use more pain-relieving medications than men; however,it is unclear whether these observations represent true differences in analgesic usage patterns, or reporting bias. A better understanding of the factors that contribute to gender differences in pain perception could reduce gender bias in pain management.

Related Research / Literature Review

An increased amount of literature indicates that women are more likely than men to be undertreated for their pain. Partners Against Pain.com (2011) examines the difference in pain perception between genders. In addition to coping differently with pain, men and women report pain differently, have different pain-related behaviors, and respond differently to pain treatments. In fact, population-based studies indicate a higher frequency in women for many pain conditions such as abdominal pain and headaches (Partners Against Pain, 2011). These findings indicate that women are more sensitive to pain stimuli than men.

A study conducted at the University of Texas, School of Nursing, indicate that men have a higher threshold for pain than women. The study found that cancer patients’ perception of pain played a key role in effective pain management of cancer patients. In addition, the study found that physiological differences, instead of psychological differences and a patient’s willingness to report pain, were key contributors in effective pain management. For example, during the course of the study, it was easier for women to distinguish between heat intensities than their male counterparts (Im, 2006).

Conversely, another study found that pain management does not necessarily rely on the patient’s interpretation of pain, but on the physician’s interpretation of the patient’s description of pain. In other words, regardless of the sex of the patient, pain management was administered according to the cues the physician received from the patient. Male and female physicians responded differently to patients’ complaints about pain (Weisse, Sorum, Sanders, & Syat, 2001).

Several factors contribute to the difference in pain perception between men and women. Women are more susceptible to pain than men because gonadal hormone levels in women who are menstruating have a significant impact on pain perception. Additionally, during the luteal phase, women are likely to perceive more pain (Paller, Campbell, Edwards, & Dobs, 2009). Based on the finding of the previous two studies, Channing et al. (2009) suggest tailoring pain treatment to individual patient physiognomies.

1. Objectives
2. Research Procedures

• Population and Sample

1. Research Design

Between 15 and 20 people will be interviewed to establish a more accurate understanding of pain perception between genders. One-on-one interviews will be conducted with an equal amount of men and women.

1. Instrumental and Data Collection
2. Planned Method of Analysis

• Time Schedule
• Resources Needed

1. Personnel
2. Budget
3. Needed Assurance / Clearance

Works Cited

Im, E.-O. (2006). White Cancer Patients’ Perception of Gender and Ethnic Differences in Pain Experience. Cancer Nursing, 29(6), 441-450.

Paller, C. J., Campbell, C. M., Edwards, R. R., & Dobs, A. S. (2009). Sex-Based Differences in Pain Perception and Treatment. Pain Medicine, 10(2), 289-299.

Partners Against Pain. (2011). Gender and Pain Management. Retrieved June 13, 2011, from partnersagainstpain.com: http://www.partnersagainstpain.com/hcp/pain-management-resources/gender-pain.aspx

Weisse, C. S., Sorum, P. C., Sanders, K. N., & Syat, B. L. (2001). Do Gender and Race Affect Decisions About Pain Management? Journal of General Internal Medicine, 16(4), 211-217.