From its inception, the Inquiry into women’s pain was rooted in our public sector values of respect and accountability.
Background
Women and girls are more likely to experience chronic pain than men but are less likely to receive treatment. This can occur for several reasons including failure to include women and girls in medical research, and medical gender bias across various health conditions including cardiovascular, neurological, reproductive, and autoimmune conditions.
As part of the Department of Health’s Women’s Health and Wellbeing Program, an Inquiry into Women’s Pain was launched in January 2024.
The first of its kind in the country, the Inquiry aims to help shape women’s healthcare for tomorrow by addressing the challenges faced by women and girls seeking health care for the cause of their pain as well as pain relief.
Challenge
The Department of Health was commissioned by the Victorian Government to research and report on the treatment of pain in women and girls.
The Inquiry consultation process was led by Safer Care Victoria and supported by the Department of Health. Feedback was collected via an Engage Victoria survey, written submissions and focus groups with clinicians, healthcare workers, organisations that provide pain services, treatment and care as well as community members.
Result
More than 13,000 women, girls, carers, families and healthcare workers who participated in the consultation process highlighted the significant impact of pain conditions like endometriosis, pelvic pain and migraines.
Women spoke about the challenges they faced accessing care and support for pain. These included gender bias and discrimination, misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, culturally unsafe care, feeling ignored or having clinicians attribute their pain to psychological and personality factors.
They also shared how the high cost of care and the impact of pain can affect their quality of life, relationships with family and friends, and their careers. Women in regional and rural areas highlighted the importance of being able to access the right care closer to home.
Currently work is underway to finalise Inquiry’s recommendations. The Inquiry’s final report will be published in the first half of 2025.
Thanks to the participation of the community, the report will consider appropriate models of care, policy implications, women’s health research, workforce skills development and cultural changes needed to shape the future of healthcare in Victoria.