Influence
March 1, 2024

The Impact of Patient Race, Patient Socioeconomic Status, and Cognitive Load of Physician Residents and Fellows on Chronic Pain Care Decisions

Kurt Kroenke, MD

Published in the Journal of Pain. Here is a link to the article. 

Regenstrief Institute authors:  Kurt Kroenke, PhD 

This study examined how physician cognitive load, patient race, and socioeconomic status (SES) influence pain treatment decisions. In a simulated task, physicians under high cognitive load (interrupted with calculations) and low cognitive load prescribed weaker pain medications to patients with higher SES compared to those with lower SES. An interaction between SES and cognitive load approached significance, suggesting cognitive load may exacerbate treatment disparities. These results highlight the importance of managing physician cognitive load to improve equitable pain care.

Authors
Tracy Anastas 1, Wei Wu 2, Diana J Burgess 3, Jesse C. Stewart 2, Michelle P. Salyers 2, Kurt Kroenke 4, Adam T. Hirsh 2

Affiliations
1Department of Psychology, Indiana University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.

2Department of Psychology, Indiana University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana.

3Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

4Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana; Regenstrief Institute, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana.

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