Amplifying Voices: Virtual Photovoice As an Empowerment Tool for Bipoc Women with Chronic Pain

Background and Purpose: Chronic pain disparities among Black, Indigenous, and women of color (BIPOC) persist due to systemic oppression and biased healthcare practices. This study employed virtual Photovoice to: (1) center lived experiences of BIPOC women navigating chronic pain care, (2) evaluate this method's effectiveness for collective empowerment, and (3) identify systemic barriers/solutions through participatory research. Grounded in anti-oppressive social work principles, we examined how virtual Photovoice could disrupt power hierarchies in health research.

Methods: Using community-based participatory research (CBPR), we engaged 20 BIPOC women through a hybrid Zoom/Canvas Photovoice process. Participants progressed through five phases: training, photo documentation of pain experiences, trauma-informed focus groups, collaborative thematic analysis, and advocacy dissemination. Data included participant-generated photos, transcripts, and post-project surveys analyzed through thematic analysis and descriptive statistics.

Results: Three dominant themes emerged: "Perseverance as resistance" (navigating oppressive systems), "Invisible illness" (care experiences), and "Dignity in patient-provider engagement" (demands for cultural humility). Quantitative data showed 77% of participants reported enhanced self-advocacy skills, while qualitative findings revealed reduced isolation through community building. Structural challenges included digital access barriers and health-related limitations.

Conclusions and Implications: This study demonstrates virtual Photovoice's potential as a trauma-informed, empowerment tool for social work practice with marginalized populations. Clinical implications include adapting these methods for support groups and patient advocacy training. Policy recommendations emphasize funding community-driven pain management programs and mandating anti-racist healthcare training. Future research should examine longitudinal impacts on health outcomes and policy change, particularly for communities facing intersectional barriers to care.