IARS 2024-2025 International Outreach Travel Grant Interview: Gebrehiwot Asfaw Tegu, MSc, PhD Fellow

Priorities for African Postoperative Pain Research: An International Delphi Study

Early in his training, Gebrehiwot Asfaw Tegu, MSc, PhD Fellow, realized that many global and national initiatives aimed at improving access to safe anesthesia and surgical care in low-resource settings like Africa often didn’t address the impact of surgical pain management on outcomes. This discovery motivated him to pursue specialized training in regional anesthesia and pain management as well as a PhD that would help him identify gaps in postsurgical pain management and design an intervention tailored for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). As his knowledge increased around this topic, Gebrehiwot determined that the logical first step in making substantial improvements was to identify the top priority agendas for finding solutions. Now a PhD Fellow at the University of Gondar and an assistant professor in the Department of Anesthesia at Bahir Dar University College of Medicine and Health Sciences School of Medicine, he has made progress in that effort by conducting a modified Delphi study to prioritize the top ten research agendas for African postsurgical pain research. His commitment to this research topic and his study, Priorities for African Postoperative Pain Research: An International Delphi Study, were acknowledged for their importance by IARS with an International Outreach Travel Grant. At the 2025 Annual Meeting, presented by IARS and SOCCA, on Saturday, March 22, Gebrihiwot will share his research outcomes. Below, he discusses his research journey, this specific study and how this grant will help him to progress in his career.

Poster Presentation:

Poster Session D, Saturday, March 22, 2025, 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm HST, Coral 3, Hilton Hawaiian Village® Waikiki Beach Resort

1. For this research, I am…

Principal Investigator

2. What drew you to this area of research?

I believe pain is a neglected global disease requiring the collaborative effort of all stakeholders and a strategic approach. What initially drew me to this area of research was the realization that, despite the numerous global and national initiatives aimed at improving access to safe anesthesia and surgical care, the specific impact of surgical pain management on outcomes had largely been overlooked, especially in low-resource settings like those in Africa. This gap in addressing the crucial role of pain management became a significant motivator for me to pursue specialized training in regional anesthesia and pain management. It also inspired me to embark on my PhD journey, to identify the existing quality chasm in postsurgical pain management and design an intervention tailored for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

3. Has it evolved since your initial research project?

Though I may not have lived experience of the full extent of pain, my firsthand experience of witnessing poor and reluctant pain management across various healthcare settings in Africa and the disparities globally motivates me to advocate for access to pain management. As my research progressed, we realized that the logical first step in making substantial improvements was to identify the top priority agendas which led us to conduct a modified Delphi study to prioritize the top ten research agendas for African postsurgical pain research.

4. What are the goals you most want to accomplish in your work with this research project?

The primary goal of our work was to establish a clear and comprehensive research agenda that addresses the most pressing challenges in postsurgical pain management in Africa. Given the significant gaps in pain management practices and their impact on surgical outcomes, our objectives are to ensure that future research efforts are aligned with the most urgent needs of Africa by identifying key research priorities to develop targeted strategies and guiding future research and funding.

5. What is the potential impact of your research on the field of anesthesia and patient care?

The priority setting addresses critical postoperative pain management areas, that will advance research, promote scientific progress, improve care quality, optimize resource allocation, and enhance equity. Furthermore, it will guide future research and necessitate collaboration with experts, stakeholders, and partners.

6. How do you feel about receiving the IARS International Outreach Travel Grant?

Attending such a prestigious conference is a dream for every academician and fellow. Securing funding, however, remains an inevitable challenge, not only for emerging researchers from low-resource settings like myself but for academics from every corner of the globe. Thus, receiving the IARS International Outreach Travel Grant was a moment of immense excitement, as was my ticket to attend the conference, and present my research work on a global stage.

7. How will this grant affect your research and professional trajectory?

The IARS International Outreach Travel Grant will have a profound impact on my research and professional trajectory. It will provide me with a unique opportunity to engage with experts (expanding my network), enhance my skills, and stay updated on cutting-edge research to transform my career. This opportunity will further serve as a stepping stone in my endeavors and advocacy for improved access to pain management.

8. What are the benefits of presenting your research at the IARS Annual Meeting?

By presenting my research, I aim to increase its visibility and impact. Furthermore, this presentation will showcase my efforts, enhancing my global presence and enabling me to connect with like-minded experts who are interested in addressing the identified priority agendas and beyond in Africa. Such collaboration will contribute to advancements in pain management and the overall quality of life.

9. Is there anyone else you wish to acknowledge as part of this research team?

I would like to extend my gratitude to the experts in Africa who volunteered to participate in this research project.

10. Outside of your research, what might someone be surprised to learn about you?

People often discover surprising aspects of our lives when they have the opportunity to see different sides of us. However, I’m not certain which part of my life would surprise them the most.