Abstract
Health inequities in U.S. healthcare disproportionately impact marginalized populations such as queer and TGNC (Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming) individuals. Chronic pain research traditionally focuses on analyzing singular dimensions of pain and illness rather than multidimensional and intersectional analysis. I argue that clinical practitioners and other healthcare providers of chronic illness and chronic pain can learn significantly from their queer and TGNC patients on non-binary perspectives and approaches. I conducted several interviews with patients of chronic pain and chronic illness that also identify as queer and TGNC to hear their personal lived experiences in U.S. healthcare, and what steps need to be taken in their perspective to address health inequities in the queer community. Reviewing the literature, I argue that there are missing discourses in pain research, such as multidimensionality and nonpharmacologic treatments, that deserve illumination and awareness by clinical practitioners. The methodologies I utilize illuminate multiple dimensions of critical feminist disability discourse as well as clinical research in pain medicine; by illustrating the limitations of the Likert pain scale in particular I argue that multidimensional measurements of pain should be included in clinical assessment and treatment. Throughout the interviews, participants reported lived experiences along with their familiarity with coping mechanisms, social supports, accessibility to care, feeling out of place in the hospital as a queer and TGNC individual, and politicization of chronic conditions that involve reproductive organs. I conclude that queer and TGNC patients of chronic illness and chronic pain have immeasurable wisdom in their lived experiences navigating U.S. healthcare and can raise awareness amongst clinicians of systemic health inequities in the measurement and treatment of chronic pain and chronic conditions.
Advisor
Lee, Sina
Department
Psychology; Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Recommended Citation
Samples, Jae M., "Narrating Pain Beyond the Binary: Exploring Trans-dimensional Approaches to Chronic Pain Management and Treatment" (2024). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 10915.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/10915
Disciplines
Disability Studies | Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | Social Justice
Publication Date
2024
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
© Copyright 2024 Jae M. Samples