INTRODUCTION: Post-operative pain is associated with poor patient satisfaction and severe complications. It is often underreported and poorly managed. The aim of this study was to investigate which factors influence and prevent optimal pain treatment according to healthcare providers.

METHODS: We conducted an electronic questionnaire survey, which was distributed by e-mail to 364 doctors, nurses, dentists and social and healthcare assistants employed at the emergency and surgical departments of Zealand University Hospital, Koege, Denmark. The 15-item-questionnaire investigated which factors influenced pain treatment.

RESULTS: A total of 124 of 364 (34%) healthcare providers completed the questionnaire. The four primary factors influencing pain treatment were sufficient time, inter-dis-ciplinary cooperation, patient involvement and staff edu-cation. The two primary barriers preventing optimal pain treatment were a high level of activity at the ward (40%) and a lack of knowledge (33%).

CONCLUSIONS: Time, staff education, interdisciplinary cooperation and patient involvement were the primary factors influencing pain treatment. Insufficient time and limited knowledge on the part of the healthcare providers were the greatest barriers preventing good pain treatment in everyday practice.

FUNDING: none.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.