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Abstract Details

Presence of Stigma in the Treatment of Migraine Patients among Neurologists
Headache
P12 - Poster Session 12 (12:00 PM-1:00 PM)
7-003
To gather neurologist perceptions about treating headache patients
Stigma is an established construct in the social sciences that describes a characteristic, trait, or diagnosis that discredits individuals and elicits prejudice, discrimination, and loss of status.  Many migraine patients report feeling stigmatized by their condition. Migraine is the 3rd most prevalent illness in the world, with roughly 12% of the US population suffering from it. Studies have shown stigma against patients suffering from migraine, but no studies currently exist looking at neurology provider viewpoints towards patients with migraine. This study aimed to understand whether stigma exists among non-headache certified neurologists as well as understand other perceptions of patients which may have treatment implications.

A ten question survey was created and administered to non-headache neurologists at an academic center. A total of 33 surveys were completed.

67.3% of neurologists within our academic medical center responded to the survey, with half reporting that they believe there is a stigma against migraine patients among healthcare professionals. Almost 94% of respondents did not think migraine patients exaggerate pain and almost 88% of respondents did not think that migraine patients use their headaches as an excuse to avoid work. Sixty percent of respondents feel migraine patients have a higher incidence of mental health disorders.

Almost 82% of respondents reported that they view treating migraine patients is challenging, whereas 67% of respondents reported that they feel migraine patients drain them emotionally. 51.5% of respondents had experienced a migraine themselves.

Neurologists believe stigma is common among patients with migraine. An overwhelming majority of respondents were understanding of the role that headache has in people’s lives. Neurologists feel that treating migraine could be challenging; it is important to understand these perceptions to better promote patient engagement, combat stigma, and understand how to promote resiliency within migraine patients.  
Authors/Disclosures
Adeel Zubair, MD (Yale University School of Medicine)
PRESENTER 		Dr. Zubair has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for The MedNet.
Jason J. Sico, MD, FÂ鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ Dr. Sico has nothing to disclose.
Deena Kuruvilla, MD (Westport Headache Institute) Dr. Kuruvilla has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Pfizer. Dr. Kuruvilla has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Abbvie. Dr. Kuruvilla has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for Abbvie/Allergan. Dr. Kuruvilla has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as an Expert Witness for HPMB.