The goal of this program is to emphasize the important role cultural conditioning plays in patients’ display of pain and healthcare professionals’ assessment and management of it. The program also considers the regulatory requirements from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations relative to pain management. After you study the information presented here, you will be able to —

• Describe how culture can influence a patient’s expression of pain and pain tolerance.
• Discuss how cultural background affects a healthcare professional’s response to and management of pain.
• Relate strategies for conducting cultural and pain assessments to identify and respond to a patient’s pain in a culturally appropriate manner.