Hospital experiences affect pain management in sickle cell disease

Despite US research suggesting that most painful episodes of sickle cell disease are treated in community settings, UK research has tended to exclude individuals who have infrequent contact with hospital services. On p 1585 Maxwell et al report on a qualitative study of experiences of pain management of patients with sickle cell disease, which compared those who usually managed their pain at home with those frequently admitted to hospital with painful crises. Experiences of hospital care showed a range of themesmistrust, stigmatisation, control, and neglectwhich constituted barriers to quality health care for patients. The authors urge that care for sickle cell disorders should be informed by a greater appreciation of the chronic nature of the condition and diversity of the affected population, and prioritise increased participation by those who use the services.

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Relevant Article

Experiences of hospital care and treatment seeking for pain from sickle cell disease: qualitative study

Krista Maxwell, Allison Streetly, and David Bevan
BMJ 1999 318: 1585-1590. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]