Identifying pain problems, healthcare professional perceptions, expectations and challenges in multidisciplinary pain center establishment

Plain language summaryMultidisciplinary pain centers (MPC) provide benefits to patients, healthcare professionals (HCP) and the community in general but are not yet established in Indonesia and other developing countries. Before establishing a multidisciplinary pain center, the problem in pain, HCP's perceptions, expectations and challenges in MPC establishment need to be identified. From the national survey on 1058 HCP, almost all respondents (99.0%) had met patients with pain as the primary complaint and acute pain as the most common complaint (51.2%). Insufficient pain management in Indonesian healthcare, insufficient pain epidemiological data and unaware HCP about MPC have become problems in pain management in Indonesia. However, most HCP agreed that health facilities should have pain centers as well as a center for the study of pain and recommend 'pain that requires intervention' to refer to a multidisciplinary pain center. Financial issues such as insufficient patient insurance was considered the most important barrier for referring patients to multidisciplinary pain centers in Indonesia. The high incidence of pain, insufficient pain management in health facilities, and insufficient data on pain have become the core problem that underlies the need for MPC establishment in Indonesia. Overall, healthcare professionals have positive perceptions and expectations regarding multidisciplinary pain centers. Financial barriers are thought to be a potential burden in the development of multidisciplinary pain centers. By understanding the pain problem, HCP perceptions, expectations, and potential challenges on the MPC establishment, strategic planning in MPC establishment is expected to be achieved especially in developing countries. Aim: Before establishing a multidisciplinary pain center (MPC), the pain problem, healthcare professionals (HCP) perceptions, expectations and the potential challenges of multidisciplinary pain center establishment need to be identified. Methods: A quantitative survey study on 1058 Indonesian HCP. The study uses a national inquiry sent by the national International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) chapter for pain. Results: 99.0% of respondents had met patients with pain as the primary complaint and acute pain as the most common complaint. Insufficient pain management in Indonesian healthcare, insufficient pain epidemiological data, and unaware HCP about MPC become problems of pain management in Indonesia. However, most HCP agreed that health facilities should have MPC. Financial issues (insufficient patient insurance) were considered the most important barrier for referring patients to MPC. Conclusion: The identified core problem, HCP perceptions, expectations and challenges of MPC establishment should become a consideration in the strategic planning of MPC establishment.