Make pain assessment your priority. Practitioner-led management of pain in trauma injuries

1. Pain is a complex, unique and subjective experience and thus requires accurate and individual assessment. 2. Holistic pain management is required to take account of the interacting factors that contribute to the intensity of pain experience. 3. Disparity in practitioners' understanding of the validity of pain management is prevalent in clinical areas. 4. Shared responsibility and open communication between client and practitioner promotes effective, judicious use of analgesia; objective and integrated pain assessment tools facilitate this partnership. 5. Pain is cited as the most frequent reason for seeking medical help; feelings of alienation and frustration related to absent or inadequate pain management are avoidable.