Evaluation of the Practices of Anesthesiologists in the city of Kinshasa on the Management of Post-Operative Pain

Abstract

Introduction: The management of Postoperative Pain represents a public health problem. Throughout the world, this subject is the subject of numerous studies which emphasize the need to treat pain and evaluate practices. However, despite the progress made in the understanding of pain mechanisms, analgesic techniques, and the multiple recommendations made by learned societies in many countries, Post-Operative Pain is insufficiently addressed. The objective of our work was to evaluate the practices of anesthesiologists in the field of postoperative pain management in two health institutions in the city province of Kinshasa which are the Saint Joseph Hospital of Limeté and the Ngaliema Clinic. Method: The population of our study consisted of 23 anesthesiologists, 14 of whom were the subject of our occasional sample. To collect the data, we used the survey method supported by the techniques of direct observation, interviews and documentary analysis. At the end of our survey, the data was processed using descriptive analysis by calculating percentages and the average. Results: Regarding socio-demographic characteristics, the majority of subjects surveyed were male at level A1 (graduate, equivalent of bacc+3) and with professional experience of 10 years or more. Concerning the management of Post-Operative Pain, 48.5% provided the actual management of Post-Operative Pain; 17.1% provided pre-anesthetic information. Overall, the management of postoperative pain was achieved at 32.8%. Conclusion: Referring to our acceptability threshold set at 80%, we can affirm that the management of Postoperative Pain is not provided satisfactorily by the anesthesiologists of the two hospital institutions selected for the study.