Barriers and Facilitators to Implementing Acute Pain Services at King Faisal Hospital Rwanda

Background: As a critical component of clinical care, every patient should have access to acute pain service (APS). Despite significant progress in its development, acute pain is under or inadequately treated, particularly in African countries. In addition, acute pain treatment and management has received insufficient clinical attention, resulting in inadequacies in postoperative pain relief, which has continued to be a significant challenge. Aims: This study aims to assess the knowledge, perceptions, and experiences of healthcare professionals about APS delivery at King Faisal Hospital Rwanda (KFH). Methods: Nine semistructured focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted from April to May 2023. Participants were selected via random stratified sampling, and FGDs were conducted in internal medicine, anesthesia and the operating theater, obstetrics and gynecology, the intensive care unit, pediatrics, accident and emergency, medical doctors, physiotherapy, and the surgical ward departments at KFH. Results: Participants highlighted four key areas that can serve as either barriers or facilitators to implementing APS at KFH. These include healthcare provider skills and training; the development and implementation of standardized protocols; establishing a dedicated interdisciplinary APS team; and patient awareness and education. Conclusions: Having institutional systems in place, including standardized protocols, a dedicated team, and regular training opportunities, may help strengthen APS. Patient education and ensuring patients know their care options is another facilitator to improving APS.