TY - JOUR
T1 - Evaluation of the Use of Colors and Drawings for Pain Communication for Hmong Patients
AU - Lor, Maichou
AU - Rabago, David
AU - Backonja, Miroslav
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported by Pamela M. Thye funds. I want to thank Dr. Adriana Arcia for her input in the development of the color pain severity gradations, Dr. Roger Brown for his input on the design of this study, and Dr. Barbara Bowers for her feedback on the analysis.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - Aims: The aim of the present study was to explore: (1) the feasibility of using color and pain drawing to describe pain; (2) the cultural appropriateness of pain body diagram (PBD); and (3) the cultural meaning of colors used in pain expression within one cultural group—the Hmong residing in the United States. Design: A qualitative-descriptive study. Methods: Data were collected sequentially in two phases with different Hmong participants from a Midwestern city using (1) focus groups to determine colors used for pain intensity and qualities along with preferences for drawing versus using the PBD; and (2) individual interviews to determine pain-related meanings of colors and cultural appropriateness of PBDs. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using summative and directed content analyses. Results: Of 67 participants, 73% were female, the average age was 53.7±14.9 years, and 67% received Medicaid. In Phase I, most participants were unable to draw their pain on a blank page and preferred using a PBD. Most could select colors for pain intensity levels, with white and red indicating no pain and severe pain, respectively. In Phase II, white, red, and black had cultural meanings related to pain while colors such as yellow, orange, and blue had personal meanings. All participants perceived the PBD to be culturally appropriate. Conclusions: The study's findings have implications for how to use colors in pain communication and confirm that PBDs can be used with Hmong patients.
AB - Aims: The aim of the present study was to explore: (1) the feasibility of using color and pain drawing to describe pain; (2) the cultural appropriateness of pain body diagram (PBD); and (3) the cultural meaning of colors used in pain expression within one cultural group—the Hmong residing in the United States. Design: A qualitative-descriptive study. Methods: Data were collected sequentially in two phases with different Hmong participants from a Midwestern city using (1) focus groups to determine colors used for pain intensity and qualities along with preferences for drawing versus using the PBD; and (2) individual interviews to determine pain-related meanings of colors and cultural appropriateness of PBDs. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using summative and directed content analyses. Results: Of 67 participants, 73% were female, the average age was 53.7±14.9 years, and 67% received Medicaid. In Phase I, most participants were unable to draw their pain on a blank page and preferred using a PBD. Most could select colors for pain intensity levels, with white and red indicating no pain and severe pain, respectively. In Phase II, white, red, and black had cultural meanings related to pain while colors such as yellow, orange, and blue had personal meanings. All participants perceived the PBD to be culturally appropriate. Conclusions: The study's findings have implications for how to use colors in pain communication and confirm that PBDs can be used with Hmong patients.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.pmn.2021.06.001
DO - 10.1016/j.pmn.2021.06.001
M3 - Article
C2 - 34257006
AN - SCOPUS:85110421901
JO - Pain Management Nursing
JF - Pain Management Nursing
SN - 1524-9042
ER -