Keywords

African Americans, Cancer, Pain, Perception of care, Sickle cell disease, Symptom management

 

Authors

  1. Dyal, Brenda W. PhD, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
  2. Abudawood, Khulud MSN, RN
  3. Schoppee, Tasha M. MSN, RN
  4. Jean, Stacy BS
  5. Smith, Valandrea M. BS
  6. Greenlee, Amelia
  7. Staton, Lindsey M.
  8. Duckworth, Laurie PhD, APRN
  9. Mandernach, Molly W. MD, MPH
  10. Black, Vandy MD, FAAP
  11. Heldermon, Coy D. MD, PhD
  12. Yao, Yingwei PhD
  13. Wilkie, Diana J. PhD, RN, FAAN
  14. Ezenwa, Miriam O. PhD, RN, FAAN

Abstract

Background: The experiences of African American adult patients before, during, and after acute care utilization are not well characterized for individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) or cancer.

 

Objective: To describe the experiences of African Americans with SCD or cancer before, during, and after hospitalization for pain control.

 

Methods: We conducted a qualitative study among African American participants with SCD (n = 15; 11 male; mean age, 32.7 +/- 10.9 years; mean pain intensity, 7.8 +/- 2.6) or cancer (n = 15; 7 male; mean age, 53.7 +/- 15.2 years; mean pain intensity, 4.9 +/- 3.7). Participants completed demographic questions and pain intensity using PAINReportIt and responded to a 7-item open-ended interview, which was recorded and transcribed verbatim. We used content analysis to identify themes in the participants' responses.

 

Results: Themes identified included reason for admission, hospital experiences, and discharge expectations. Pain was the primary reason for admission for participants with SCD (n = 15) and for most participants with cancer (n = 10). Participants of both groups indicated that they experienced delayed treatment and a lack of communication. Participants with SCD also reported accusations of drug-seeking behavior, perceived mistreatment, and feeling of not being heard or believed. Participants from both groups verbalized concerns about well-being after discharge and hopeful expectations.

 

Conclusions: Race-concordant participants with SCD but not with cancer communicated perceived bias from healthcare providers.

 

Implications for Practice: Practice change interventions are needed to improve patient-provider interactions, reduce implicit bias, and increase mutual trust, as well as facilitate more effective pain control, especially for those who with SCD.