“Brave Men” and “Emotional Women”: A Theory-Guided Literature Review on Gender Bias in Health Care and Gendered Norms towards Patients with Chronic Pain
Review article, 2018

Background. Despite the large body of research on sex differences in pain, there is a lack of knowledge about the influence of gender in the patient-provider encounter. The purpose of this study was to review literature on gendered norms about men and women with pain and gender bias in the treatment of pain. The second aim was to analyze the results guided by the theoretical concepts of hegemonic masculinity and andronormativity. Methods. A literature search of databases was conducted. A total of 77 articles met the inclusion criteria. The included articles were analyzed qualitatively, with an integrative approach. Results. The included studies demonstrated a variety of gendered norms about men's and women's experience and expression of pain, their identity, lifestyle, and coping style. Gender bias in pain treatment was identified, as part of the patient-provider encounter and the professional's treatment decisions. It was discussed how gendered norms are consolidated by hegemonic masculinity and andronormativity. Conclusions. Awareness about gendered norms is important, both in research and clinical practice, in order to counteract gender bias in health care and to support health-care professionals in providing more equitable care that is more capable to meet the need of all patients, men and women.

Author

Anke Samulowitz

University of Gothenburg

Ida Gremyr

Chalmers, Technology Management and Economics, Service Management and Logistics

Erik Eriksson

Chalmers, Technology Management and Economics, Service Management and Logistics

Gunnel Hensing

University of Gothenburg

Pain Research and Management

1203-6765 (ISSN)

Vol. 2018 6358624

Subject Categories

Basic Medicine

DOI

10.1155/2018/6358624

More information

Latest update

7/8/2021 1