Gender-based social attributes may affect physicians' pain management strategies, as deciphered from a vignette-based, cross-sectional study. Recent studies have emphasized disparities in pain management between men and women, potentially influenced by gender stereotypes. To delve deeper into this issue, a team of researchers executed a comprehensive assessment of how patient gender affects the management of acute low back pain.

The survey involved 231 physicians who were presented with an online clinical vignette depicting a consultation scenario for acute low back pain, with variations in the gender of the patient. Following the vignette, physicians completed a questionnaire (Gender Role Expectation of Pain) to determine their management decisions and investigate gender stereotypes linked with pain care.

Key findings:

• Both male and female physicians exhibited gender-related stereotypes regarding pain perception. They tended to perceive men as more sensitive to pain, having lower pain endurance, and being more willing to report pain compared to women.
• However, these stereotypes did not trigger pivotal differences in pain mitigation between males and females.
• Women dealing with acute low back pain were less frequently referred for imaging examinations as opposed to men.
• Additionally, women were given lower doses of opioids and Ibuprofen compared to men.
• The gender of the physician displayed a modest influence on therapeutic decisions, with female doctors more inclined towards ancillary examination prescriptions.

The study's findings underscored the presence of gender stereotypes among physicians, which may impact pain management decisions. Despite no considerable differences in overall treatment approaches between genders, disparities exist in the frequency of referrals for imaging and medication prescriptions. This study emphasizes the need for further research to explore the underlying causes of gender stereotypes in pain management and their implications for clinical practice. Prospective clinical studies are warranted to deepen the comprehension of these dynamics and develop strategies to ameliorate their impact on patient care.