Publication Date
2025
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
First Advisor
Gordon, Rachel
Degree Name
Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy)
Legacy Department
School of Health Studies
Abstract
This dissertation presents research across three publishable manuscripts that investigate why structural and systemic racism persist among patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) seeking pain management, and how interprofessional collaboration and education can help reduce disparities through shared learning, accountability, and standardized care (Chapters Two through Four). A scoping review identifies current interventions and strategies aimed at sharing the pain experiences and feelings of being unheard by SCD patients (Chapter Two). Findings of the scoping review revealed that although interventions and strategies exist and have been tested, the lack of implementation or buy-in from healthcare professionals has allowed racial discrimination in SCD pain management to continue in current treatment. A theoretical review examines various theories and frameworks that could be used to foster empathy and address racism in healthcare professional education for managing SCD pain (Chapter Three). This review explores social and emotional learning (SEL), critical pedagogy (CP), and critical race theory (CRT) to determine whether a theory or framework exists to combat structural racism in SCD pain management and how it can enhance education on SCD pain treatment. CRT proved to be effective in helping healthcare professionals from various fields address implicit bias during the early stages of their clinical education and careers. Lastly, a phenomenological study shows how patients with SCD experience pain management and interprofessional collaboration. Themes from the focus group include unfair pain medication distribution, patient experiences with interprofessional collaboration, poor patient-provider communication, and a desire for (but lack of) healthcare compassion. The lived experiences of individuals living with SCD, as well as those of the interprofessional advisory team, provided rich insights that informed the development of a video intervention demonstrating best practices of interprofessional collaboration. This dissertation illustrates how interprofessional education and collaboration are crucial for dismantling structural and systemic racism, which is driven by racial discrimination, stigma, mistrust, and ineffective provider communication in healthcare professionals’ treatment of SCD pain.
Recommended Citation
Edwards-Elliott, Ronisha, "Exploring Approaches to Address Racial Discrimination, Stigma, and Provider Communication in Sickle Cell Disease Pain Management through Interprofessional Education and Collaboration" (2025). Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations. 8154.
https://huskiecommons.lib.niu.edu/allgraduate-thesesdissertations/8154
Extent
114 pages
Language
en
Publisher
Northern Illinois University
Rights Statement
In Copyright
Rights Statement 2
NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.
Media Type
Text
