Promoting cultural competence in pain management: A videoconferencing approach

Cultural factors are related to many aspects of pain management, from the way patients experience and report pain, to the way providers conceptualize and treat pain. Moreover, medical treatment teams have access to different resources and may use different treatment modalities, resulting in a diversity of practice approaches. Healthcare providers who seek greater knowledge and understanding of cultural influences and diverse treatment perspectives will not only possess a broader, more informed view of medicine, but will also have the opportunity to enhance skills in cultural competence. The program in place at the MD Anderson Pain Center uses videoconferencing to present cases and share perspectives of case conceptualization and treatment planning with pain management teams from other areas of the country and the world. This program aims to increase cultural competence and awareness of diverse treatment perspectives by 1) increasing sensitivity to cultural factors in pain medicine 2) promoting understanding of case conceptualization from different perspectives, 3) recognizing how one's own cultural perspectives can influence medical practice. Other programs may consider using this format for cultural competence training in pain management and other areas of medical practice.