Natural Language Processing - Lay Summary

Principal Investigator: Don Richardson

Language used in clinical notes can provide valuable insights into the experiences of patients, particularly for those with conditions like chronic pain. This study focused on analyzing clinical notes from Canadian Veterans to better understand how gender influences the documentation of chronic pain and associated conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

The study aimed to uncover meaningful differences in the language used in clinical notes between men and women Veterans. It also sought to explore how these differences might reflect societal perceptions of pain and influence clinical care practices.

Distinct differences in language use based on gender were identified, indicating potentially deeper variances in how pain is experienced and expressed by men and women. Notes for women patients mentioned pain almost twice as often as notes for patients who were men, suggesting more of a reported problem with pain, which may coincide with difficulty in treatment. Our Veteran advisory council reported anecdotes that some women had problems having their pain taken seriously when seen by medical professionals – not necessarily at an OSI clinic, but in general. These findings emphasize the need for gender-inclusive language in clinical practice and highlight the importance of understanding how gender influences pain expression and documentation.

The study underscores the significance of considering gender differences in documenting chronic pain among Veterans and calls for further research to explore disparities in clinical care and outcomes. By integrating patient narratives and involving clinicians from a broader range of professions, efforts can be made to improve the personalized and effective healthcare provided to Veterans, ultimately enhancing their overall health and wellbeing.