Mobile, Ala. (February 8, 2006)
Contact: Cristin Etheredge, (251) 461-1509 |
 Dr. Haynes Publishes Thought Provoking Research
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An article by Dr. Johnson Haynes Jr., professor of internal medicine and director of the USA Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, was recently published in the Journal of Palliative Care examining the relationship of physicians’ attitudes and pain management for patients with sickle cell disease.
Many physicians believe patients with sickle cell disease are more likely to become addicted to pain medication than are other patient populations.
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Dr. Johnson Haynes Jr. |
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| The article, co-authored with other USA faculty, surveyed seven National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded comprehensive sickle cell centers to assess physicians’ attitudes towards addiction in patients with sickle cell disease and how that potentially adversely affects pain management practices. |
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Significant correlations were found in the study between attitudes towards pain and beliefs regarding addiction to prescribed pain killers. The results from the study indicate that physicians might benefit from additional education regarding sickle cell disease, addiction to pain medication, the pharmacology of pain killers, and the assessment and treatment of pain. |
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In the United States it is estimated that over 70,000 people have sickle cell disease. About 1,000 babies are born with the disease each year in America. Sickle-cell anemia, the most severe form of sickle-cell disease, affects about 2,000 Alabama residents and 148,000 are estimated to carry the genetic trait, according to figures from Alabama's Sickle Cell Disease Association. |
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Haynes is director of the USA Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center. His interests are in the research and treatment of sickle cell disease and lung diseases. Haynes’ article is entitled “Physicians’ Attitude and Practices in Sickle Cell Disease Pain Management.” The article can be found in the Journal of Palliative Care 2005; 21(4):246-251, published by the Center for Bioethics, a peer-reviewed, international forum for palliative care and medicine. |
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