Practices and perceived barriers regarding pain management among Emergency Department physicians: a nationwide multicenter survey in Moroccan hospitals

Aim To describe pain management practices in Moroccan emergency departments, and to identify perceived barriers among emergency department physicians regarding pain management. Methods Eleven Moroccan emergency departments participated in the study. A nationwide survey was administered to physicians. The questionnaire covered physicians' characteristics, practices regarding pain management, and the perceived barriers to pain control. Results A total of 86 questionnaires were analyzed. The participants' mean age was 41±7 years and 59.3% had more than 10 years working experience in emergency departments. The majority of participants were general physicians (87.2%) with no pain education (73.3%). Pain assessment in emergency departments was carried out by 59.3% of the physicians. Simple interrogatory assessment was the main tool (88.3%) with poor use of algometric scales (11.7%). Pain assessment results were not recorded in clinical charts in 93% of cases. Pain reassessment after treatment was carried out by 23.2% of respondents. Physicians had opiophobia in 80.2% of cases. None of the Moroccan emergency departments participating in the study have a written protocol for pain management. Barriers relating to medical staff and the health care system were the most commonly encountered hindrances that preclude emergency department physicians from proper pain management. Conclusions Despite the availability of international guidelines, pain management practices are still sub‐optimal in Moroccan emergency departments.