Emergency department health disparities

UCLA researchers published an analysis of health disparities regarding pain management in the emergency department.

Key findings:

·       Patients who felt their pain treatment needs were unmet were more likely to misuse opioids later.

·       Black patients were more likely to be denied an opioid prescription.

·       “Patients who were satisfied with how their pain was managed in the emergency department were, however, less likely to misuse opioids, even if their preference for opioids was not honored.”