Assessment of social and cultural aspects of pain

Presented at: EFIC Virtual Pain Education Summit

Speakers

Elia Valentini

Senior Lecturer, Department of Psychology, University of Essex, United Kingdom
BIOGRAPHY
Whitney Scott

Lecturer, Clinical Health Psychology, King's College, London, United Kingdom
BIOGRAPHY

Abstract

Chair: Elia Valentini, United Kingdom

The novel EFIC core Pain Psychology curriculum aims to outline essential learning for Psychologists who
see and treat people with pain. The Curriculum is focused on articulating the type of knowledge and set of competences expected in a pain psychologist in order to provide quality patient-centred care and pain management. An integral part of this endeavour is to instruct pain psychologists on the principles at the heart of assessment and measurement of pain. In this brief presentation I will spotlight some of the assessment principles within the pain curriculum, in preparation of Whitney Scott’s presentation that will narrow on the “Assessment of social and cultural aspects of pain”.

Measurement and assessment
Whitney Scott, Belgium

This session will focus on the assessment of sociocultural aspects of pain. Upon completion of this session, attendees will gain an understanding of the role of cultural, societal, economic, and institutional influences on the assessment of pain and disability. Attendees will also be able to identify barriers to pain assessment related to the patient, their family, healthcare professionals, and the health system. The session will discuss a model of pain assessment as a social transaction. The influence of culture on the meaning attributed to pain, pain communication, and pain treatment will be discussed. A broad overview of several other social factors related to pain assessment and management will be provided, including racial/ethnic disparities in pain, pain in survivors of torture, and pain-related stigma. Strategies for conducting culturally sensitive pain assessment will be identified.

Q&A