Minorities Get Less Pain Relief......

[nhboy]

New Study Reveals: Minorities Less Likely to Receive Narcotics for Pain in the ER

" The study, which analyzed treatments for more than 150,000 pain-related visits to U.S. hospitals between 1993 and 2005, found 23 percent of blacks and 24 percent of Hispanics received opioids compared with 31 percent of whites. Twenty-eight percent of Asians and other groups received opioids.

- Differences in prescribing between whites and non-whites were greater among people with the worst pain. Among patients in severe pain, opioids were prescribed to 52 percent of whites, 42 percent of Hispanics and 39 percent of blacks."

AlterNet: Blogs: PEEK: New Study Reveals: Minorities Less Likely to Receive Narcotics for Pain in the ER

 

[aps45819]

This is horrible, we should insure that black folks receive their fair share of narcotics.

 

[Kyle]

This is horrible, we should insure that black folks receive their fair share of narcotics.

MORE... to make up for the 400 years of oppression.

 

[ImnoMensa]

Sounds like a crock of Sheet to me.

 

[LexiGirl75]

Just another angle...

This could have more to do with insurance than ethnicity. I disagree with not giving someone thorough medical attention based on their affordability but if ER's can't bill an insurance company they may hesitate to give free pain relievers out. It is my belief that doctors charge your insurance company for the sample meds they give you to start you out before you get your prescription filled, maybe they don't but they're not just giving them out from the kindness of their heart. IMO everything is about money and it's a known fact that there are more minorities without health insurance and that's no one's fault except the uninsured.

One other thing to keep in mind is that it is very hard for adults to get state health insurance due to eligibility requirements. You either have to be shelter-poor or receiving government assistance and not many single, childless, working adults will qualify. This goes to those whose jobs pay minimum wage who can't afford to have $100+ come out of their $800 a month paycheck.

I am all for healthcare reform but no one should need to be on it for the rest of their lives. It's meant to be a stepping stone in the priocess of financial self-reliance. So anyone in need should qualify even if it is on an increment basis of 30 days, 3mos, 6mos, 1yr. There should be exceptions to the rule such as: "We'lll help you for 3mos but you should apply for health insurance with your job after that". Other than that maybe the State can create a health insurance plan that is cheaper than the ones the jobs offer and then they can take out premiums. Whatever is decided people should have healthcare.

 

[AndyMarquisLIVE]

I read a report on either the same or similar study. Apparently, doctors are more likely to give free samples of medications to wealthier folks rather than those who actually need it.

Man, some peoples' priorities are way out of whack.

 

[jetmonkey]

Aren't they usually already stoned when they arrive?

 

[AndyMarquisLIVE]

That...

Aren't they usually already stoned when they arrive?

... is a stereotype, and not a very valid one either.

 

[Toxick]

Apparently, doctors are more likely to give free samples of medications to wealthier folks rather than those who actually need it.

I wish I was wealthy so that I wouldn't need medicine.

 

[vraiblonde]

... is a stereotype, and not a very valid one either.

I think it was a joke.

 

[AndyMarquisLIVE]

I think it was a joke.

I thought JPC's campaign was a joke. Turns out, he's real.

 

[This_person]

I thought JPC's campaign was a joke. Turns out, he's real.

As campaign manager, you should edit this site with his quotes from here, to ensure people know his stance on things.

 

[This_person]

This could have more to do with insurance than ethnicity. I disagree with not giving someone thorough medical attention based on their affordability but if ER's can't bill an insurance company they may hesitate to give free pain relievers out. It is my belief that doctors charge your insurance company for the sample meds they give you to start you out before you get your prescription filled, maybe they don't but they're not just giving them out from the kindness of their heart. IMO everything is about money and it's a known fact that there are more minorities without health insurance and that's no one's fault except the uninsured.

One other thing to keep in mind is that it is very hard for adults to get state health insurance due to eligibility requirements. You either have to be shelter-poor or receiving government assistance and not many single, childless, working adults will qualify. This goes to those whose jobs pay minimum wage who can't afford to have $100+ come out of their $800 a month paycheck.

I am all for healthcare reform but no one should need to be on it for the rest of their lives. It's meant to be a stepping stone in the priocess of financial self-reliance. So anyone in need should qualify even if it is on an increment basis of 30 days, 3mos, 6mos, 1yr. There should be exceptions to the rule such as: "We'lll help you for 3mos but you should apply for health insurance with your job after that". Other than that maybe the State can create a health insurance plan that is cheaper than the ones the jobs offer and then they can take out premiums. Whatever is decided people should have healthcare.

This post makes a lot of sense for hidden reasons behind the statistics, and for what direction to go in the future!

 

[vegmom]

It is my belief that doctors charge your insurance company for the sample meds they give you to start you out before you get your prescription filled, maybe they don't but they're not just giving them out from the kindness of their heart.

Actually, the docs are given a certain amount of new drug samples at no cost by the pharmaceutical reps that come by. The hope is that the docs will start writing RXs for more of said drug when they see it works well/better than the old drugs.

The pharmacy I worked at had a HUGE problem with people trying to pass phoney baloney RXs and "doc shoppers". I would say 90% of them were white. The worst case I saw were a couple of men (make note of the gender) who were trying to get scripts filled all over Waldorf for Percocet that were written by a doc that had F.A.C.O.G. after his name on the slips- wondered how painful their ovarian cysts were considering this particular Board Certified OBGYN was also long dead.

I quit long before the Oxycontin craze got rolling, thank goodness.

 

[itsbob]

New Study Reveals: Minorities Less Likely to Receive Narcotics for Pain in the ER

" The study, which analyzed treatments for more than 150,000 pain-related visits to U.S. hospitals between 1993 and 2005, found 23 percent of blacks and 24 percent of Hispanics received opioids compared with 31 percent of whites. Twenty-eight percent of Asians and other groups received opioids.

- Differences in prescribing between whites and non-whites were greater among people with the worst pain. Among patients in severe pain, opioids were prescribed to 52 percent of whites, 42 percent of Hispanics and 39 percent of blacks."

AlterNet: Blogs: PEEK: New Study Reveals: Minorities Less Likely to Receive Narcotics for Pain in the ER

Instead of race, MAYBE they should do this study on how they dressed or presented themselves.. regardless of race, if you're wearing your pants down around your knees, have a stupid haircut and wear your hat sideways, I think a doc would be less likely to prescribe narcotics than if you went in dressed
'normally'... even clean jeans and a T-shirt..

 

[AndyMarquisLIVE]

As campaign manager, you should edit this site with his quotes from here, to ensure people know his stance on things.

You've been keeping the best record on him. PM me with his greatest hits and I'll do so.

 

[Sonsie]

Instead of race, MAYBE they should do this study on how they dressed or presented themselves.. regardless of race, if you're wearing your pants down around your knees, have a stupid haircut and wear your hat sideways, I think a doc would be less likely to prescribe narcotics than if you went in dressed
'normally'... even clean jeans and a T-shirt..

It probably also has a lot to do with how comfortable you are in dealing with doctors and medical staff too. If you come in clean and respectable looking and speak clearly and discuss pain management with a doctor he is more likely to prescribe you a narcotic. I've got chronic pain issues and I've found when I engage the doctor and explain things to him and request pain relievers they've always given me pretty much what I ask for.

If you come in not speaking english, are surly or uncommunicative with the people who are there to help you won't get much. Being a "tuff guy" and not saying anything won't help either.

 

[theArtistFormerlyKnownAs]

It probably also has a lot to do with how comfortable you are in dealing with doctors and medical staff too. If you come in clean and respectable looking and speak clearly and discuss pain management with a doctor he is more likely to prescribe you a narcotic. I've got chronic pain issues and I've found when I engage the doctor and explain things to him and request pain relievers they've always given me pretty much what I ask for.

If you come in not speaking english, are surly or uncommunicative with the people who are there to help you won't get much. Being a "tuff guy" and not saying anything won't help either.

I don't understand...
So just because you don't whine about pain they are not supposed to give you equal pain medication? If two people go in with the same condition, why shouldn't they both be given the same general treatment for it?

 

[vegmom]

I don't understand...
So just because you don't whine about pain they are not supposed to give you equal pain medication? If two people go in with the same condition, why shouldn't they both be given the same general treatment for it?

Pain doesn't show up on tests. The level of pain someone experiences varies with the individual as does their reaction to various pain meds. That's why you have to speak up. Which will get you more pain medication - sitting their scowling or yelling HOLY CRAP I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!

The latter, because that's how I sucessfully conveyed my @#$% epidural had stopped working hours before the baby did.

 

[theArtistFormerlyKnownAs]

Pain doesn't show up on tests. The level of pain someone experiences varies with the individual as does their reaction to various pain meds. That's why you have to speak up. Which will get you more pain medication - sitting their scowling or yelling HOLY CRAP I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!

The latter, because that's how I sucessfully conveyed my @#$% epidural had stopped working hours before the baby did.

well then, I suppose that is why white people get more pain meds? they ##### and moan more?

(for the record...that is in no way directed at you giving birth ...I don't want any "YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT ITS LIKE" stuff...i'll take your word for it that giving birth is an experience I'll happily never have to deal with )