In this week’s podcast Martin Esposito talks about pain assessment and management. The discussion explores the definition of pain, and the biological and psychological complexities associated with something that is physical yet subjective in perception. Martin looks at the importance of ongoing pain assessment and explores the options in pre hospital pain relief; after discussing analgesia he sets out why pain control is more than medication administration.

• Remember that pain is more than a just physical symptom

Transition from acute to chronic pain – BJA Education – https://academic.oup.com/bjaed/article/15/2/98/248869

Chronic Pain – Is it All in Their Head? – Daniel J. Clauw M.D – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0EhNajqkdU

Martin is the Clinical Effectiveness Lead for Major Trauma for the Scottish Ambulance Service. He has worked within ambulance services in the UK for over 23 years gaining a wealth of experience in a variety of roles.

Since qualifying as a paramedic in 2000 he has worked as an Emergency Care Practitioner, was seconded to the Physician Response Unit in London as well spending time as a flight paramedic for London’s Air Ambulance.

He has also spent a number of years in education and is an examiner on the Diploma in Immediate Care.

Martin has a special interest in pain management and in 2018 completed an MSc in pain management at Cardiff University and has since become an Honorary Tutor on the Pain Management programme at Cardiff.