Addressing Bias in Acute Postoperative Pain Management

Purpose of Review: This review evaluates disparities in acute postoperative pain management with regard to gender, race, socioeconomic status, age, and language. Strategies for addressing bias are also discussed. Recent Findings: Inequities in acute postoperative pain management may lead to longer hospital stays and adverse health outcomes. Recent literature suggests that there are disparities in acute pain management related to patient gender, race, and age. Interventions to address these disparities are reviewed but require further investigation. Summary: Recent literature highlights inequities in postoperative pain management, particularly in relation to gender, race, and age. There is a need for continued research in this area. Strategies such as implicit bias training and using culturally competent pain measurement scales may help reduce these disparities. Continued efforts by both providers and institutions to address and eliminate biases in postoperative pain management are needed to ensure better health outcomes.