The Scientific Conference of Vietnam Society of Anaesthesiologists 2023 took place over three days, from November 23rd to 25th, 2023, in Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak Province. Representatives from FV Hospital, including Dr Nguyen Nam Binh, Specialist Level I, and Dr Pham Hoang Manh presented two noteworthy reports that attracted considerable attention during the conference.

FV’s Pain Clinic shares ground-breaking steps.

The scientific conference was organised by the Vietnam Society of Anaesthesiologists (Vietnam Medical Association), gathering nearly 1000 participants including professors, doctors, and experts actively involved in anaesthesia, critical care, and pain management in Vietnam and overseas. Conference topics were anaesthesia, critical care, infection control, obstetric and paediatric anaesthesia, regional anaesthesia, and pain reduction, as well as cardiac anaesthesia.

Dr Nguyen Nam Binh, Specialist Level I, Pain Clinic — FV Hospital, delivered a report titled “Establishing a pain treatment centre based on guidelines from the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP).” The report sparked extensive discussions among attendees due to the timeliness of the issue in Vietnamese healthcare. FV’s pioneering and effective steps were presented, positively influencing the audience, especially healthcare institutions in the process of establishing a pain clinic.

The presentation focused on clarifying the establishment of the workforce, technical approaches, investment in expertise, and how to evaluate and measure the effectiveness of patient treatment within a pain clinic. Dr Nam Binh utilised FV Pain Clinic as a practical example for his presentation. According to the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) classification framework, the pain treatment activities at FV have attained level 3 (out of four levels), making it a standout facility in Vietnam at the present time.

Dr Nam Binh shared, “To actualise a pain clinic according to IASP standards, it’s not only necessary to invest time in learning from international models but also crucial to have internal agreements regarding treatment within the hospital.” FV has established itself as one of the leading units in the field of pain treatment, rooted in support from the hospital and consensus in the approach to pain management among various specialties.

FV’s Pain Clinic operates in a multi-disciplinary direction, meaning it involves various specialties such as General Surgery, Bone & Joint Centre, Neurosurgery and Endovascular Neurosurgery, Clinical Psychology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, and Dietetics & Nutrition, collaborating within the Pain Clinic to manage pain across various patient cases.

Approaching world-class standards in pain management and treatment at FV

Also at this conference, Dr Phạm Hoàng Mạnh (Pain Clinic – FV Hospital) drew attention with his presentation “Interventional Pain Management.” The report not only shed light on this relatively new field in Vietnam but also showcased several advancements and modern interventional pain treatment models in Europe. This presentation highlighted the potential for development in this field within the country.

Interventional pain management is a minimally invasive method that provides highly effective and long-term pain relief for patients. This approach serves as an intermediate treatment between internal medicine and surgery, applied when internal medicine-based pain treatment fails but surgical procedures aren’t deemed necessary. “There’s significant potential for the development of this specialty in Vietnam, which could benefit many patients and aligns well with global medical trends,” shares Dr Manh.

FV’s Pain Clinic has applied numerous advancements in pain management to approach global standards. These include epidural injections, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, facet joint nerve ablation, thoracic lateral nerve ablation using radiofrequency waves (RFA) under a C-arm, among others. Additionally, the Centre has invested in modern equipment such as the transcranial magnetic stimulation system (rTMS-rPMS), the Q-Sense nerve fibre pain diagnostic system, and patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pumps, creating a comprehensive pain treatment system from acute to chronic pain, providing multidisciplinary support for patients.

In a Vietnamese context where the direction of pain treatment in this country remains unclear, under the guidance of Head of the Pain Clinic Louis Brasseur and FV Hospital’s team, clear objectives and directions have been set. The team not only collaborates and learns directly from leading global experts but also actively enhances treatment quality through internal training activities, CME sessions, direct dialogues with other specialties, shaping a shared treatment process and addressing pain issues for patients throughout the hospital.

Over recent years, the Centre’s staff has significantly contributed to advancing pain treatment in Vietnam by organising workshops, conferences, and consistently participating in academic activities, exemplified by their involvement in the recent Scientific Conference of Vietnam Society of Anaesthesiologists. Furthermore, their readiness to host interns or personnel from other institutions for visits and learning experiences at FV has been greatly supported and promoted by the doctors at the Pain Clinic.

The insights shared at the Scientific Conference of Vietnam Society of Anaesthesiologists 2023 by FV Hospital highlight significant advancements and potential within the field of pain treatment in Vietnam. These contributions serve as a strong motivation for FV to continue providing patients with the most effective and optimal solutions in pain management and treatment, contributing to an improved quality of life.