Classism in healthcare professionals: what does it mean for chronic pain patients’ credibility?

Chronic pain is a major public health problem affecting at least 10 percent of the worldwide population. Pain and its impacts also affect disproportionately women, people living in poverty, indigenous people, racialized people, LGBTQIA2S+ communities and people who have experienced trauma, among others, resulting in social health inequalities. Despite the attention given to racism and sexism in chronic pain literature, little attention has been given to classism. Classism is defined as “negative attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors directed toward those with less power, who are socially devalued” (Lott 2012, p.654). The present research aims at better understanding classist biases in healthcare professionals by addressing how nurses’ perceptions of chronic pain patients’ credibility are influenced by patient’s perceived social status. Specifically, the research project will analyze 50 narrative interview transcriptions that were conducted with nurses in Portugal regarding their practice and their assessment of pain. Thematic analyses will be conducted using NVivo 12.

Faculty Supervisor:

Gabrielle Pagé

Student:

Partner:

Instituto Universitário de Lisboa

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Other

University:

Université de Montréal

Program: