I was reading a study on Exparel (which I use during tummy tucks to help reduce pain and expedite recovery), and the Exparel study focused specifically on surgical procedures for women: C section, gyne surgery, breast surgery. They kept talking about why WOMEN ARE IMPORTANT, and we as doctors should make sure they have a pain free recovery.
I found their introduction fascinating. Why was this pain company so focused on women? Many studies show women tend to tough it out better. But in this “special report” they talk about how keeping women pain free and having a positive health care experience is so important. It wasn’t for the altruistic kindness in their souls. Their major points:
Women need to get better faster after surgery than men do .
- Women are primary caregivers for children and family, so they find it difficult to take off time for a medical procedure, as they cannot put off kid/home/work on hold
- When women return to normal household tasks too soon, they may complicate or prolong recovery.
Women are motivated to getting home and back to normal as a top priority because….
- 43% are the primary caregiver for children and family
- 31% need to get back to work faster
- 13% are concerned about getting a secondary illness or infection
- 6% have a upcoming event or trip.
- Bottom line? Women don’t have the luxury of time to be healing. We’ve got stuff to do. Dinners to be made, laundry to be done, work deadlines to meet, Costco shopping carts to fill, dogs to be walked.
Women have different issues with pain medication:
- Women take opioids and other abusable prescription medications more than men and for longer periods of time. (they cited studies on this.) This may be that women use the health care system at higher rates or report their use more.
- Women need good pain control. They frequently need to keep doing daily tasks for children, work, and home during their recovery.
Women are the health care deciders so we want them to be happy.
- This focused on why hospitals and healthcare should want women to have comfortable recoveries. Of course, this was focused not on our mental wellbeing, but on the $$$ for hospitals.
- Women tend to be the gatekeepers to healthcare on many levels: themselves, when pregnant, for their kids, for their elderly parents.
- Patient satisfaction is directly related to hospital profitability.
- Positive birth experiences generate health system loyalty. (74% of women return to the health system where they delivered)
My thoughts?
I would love to believe people are motivated by ideology: women should have good pain control and recoveries because they deserve it. This study introduction resonated with me because 90% of my patients are women, and I see how doing elective surgery can mess with your head. I see over and over women who feel guilt about doing something for themselves, something that isn’t “necessary.” I see them plan months ahead with time off work, childcare juggling, stocking up on food, and figuring out how to navigate their kids, families, and jobs through a time when they aren’t 100%. I see women go back too soon, wearing their superhero capes and doing it all, and which prolongs their recovery because your body Just. Needs. Time. To. Heal. I beg women to view their recovery after surgery as a vacation- perhaps their first real vacation in a while- and do something shocking like *gasp* take a nap, binge watch a show, or read a book. You do no one any favors by pushing too hard too fast.
I’m glad there is money in keeping women comfortable and happy after their surgical recovery. Sometimes people do the right thing for questionable reasons.
Don’t get me wrong- I love Exparel. I know good pain control makes the experience nicer. It allows you to walk sooner, which helps reduce risk of blood clots and helps bowel habits. I know coming at pain from different directions decreases opioid use, which is just better.
But I found this so interesting to read. Women as a group are a lynchpin, in medicine we are decision makers and consumers, and our happiness is valuable $$ to the hospital bottom line. Hear. Hear.