Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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Pain is a multifaceted experience shaped by various factors including context of pain, previous life events, and ongoing ethnocultural circumstances. Moreover, the definition of pain is inconsistent across cultures. Western medicine views physical pain (e.g., associated with a bone fracture) and nonphysical mental pain (e.g., depression) as two distinct conditions. Indigenous perspectives are often more wholistic, encompassing mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical hurt. The subjective nature of pain invites ample opportunity for discrimination in both its assessment and management. As such, it is important to consider Indigenous perspectives of pain in research and clinical practice. To investigate which aspects of Indigenous pain knowledge are currently considered by Western research, we conducted a scoping review of the literature on pain in Indigenous Peoples of Canada. ⋯ This scoping review shows that there is a paucity of research on pain measurement in Indigenous Peoples of Canada. This finding is concerning in light of numerous studies reporting that Indigenous Peoples experience their pain as ignored, minimized, or disbelieved. Furthermore, a clear disconnect emerged between pain expression in Indigenous Peoples and assessment in medical professionals. We hope that this scoping review will serve to translate current knowledge to other non-Indigenous academics and to initiate meaningful collaboration with Indigenous partners. Future research led by Indigenous academics and community partners is critically needed to better address pain needs in Canada.
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Health disparities continue to affect racial and ethnic marginalized obstetric patients disproportionally with increased risk of Cesarean delivery and pregnancy-related death. Yet, the literature on what influences such disparities in obstetric anesthesia service and its clinical outcomes is less well known. We set out to describe racial and ethnic disparities in obstetric anesthesia during the peripartum period in the USA via a scoping review of the recent literature. ⋯ Based on the findings of the present scoping review on racial and ethnic disparities in obstetric anesthesia, we present an evidence map identifying knowledge gaps and propose a future research agenda.
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We aimed to evaluate the representation of women and persons of colour (POC) authors of COVID-19 manuscripts submitted to, accepted in, and rejected from the Journal and to evaluate trends in their representation during the pandemic. ⋯ The proportion of women authors of COVID-19 manuscripts was lower than men's representation. Further research is required to determine the factors that account for the higher proportion of POC authors across rejected manuscripts.
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Editorial Comment
The future of disparities research in obstetric anesthesia.