A brief history of analgesia in paramedic practice

Paramedics and ambulance clinicians have an important role in alleviating pain. However, clinician-initiated analgesia has a relatively short history when compared with the field of medicine. Several barriers to the introduction of pharmacological options for the management of pain appear to have delayed the introduction of options for managing severe pain. These include legislative restrictions as well as concerns about the adverse effects of analgesics. This report describes the history of analgesia in paramedic or ambulance practice in the United Kingdom (UK) and Australia in order to add to the knowledge base for this profession, and to inform the development of strategies to advance pain management practice.