ACPIC25: Spotlight on Pain Management

Australasian College of Paramedicine International Conference (ACPIC25)

ACPIC 2025 delivered a wide range of clinical and research sessions from experts and leaders in paramedicine. Hosted in Brisbane (September 2025) the program was designed to inspire, educate and broaden horizons.

Conference theme: Foundations to future: Advancing paramedicine

Spotlight on Pain Management - Spotlight on Pain Management

Presented by: James Oswald

Pain is a personal, complex and subjective experience, not just a simple physical sign. This session explores practical, non-pharmacological approaches to pain management in the prehospital setting that acknowledge this complexity. Simple tools to treat pain, while encouraging a broader, more patient-centred view of the experience of pain.

Spotlight on Pain Management - Chronic Pain Management

Presented by: Amy Underwood

The presentation will examine the biopsychosocial nature of persistent pain, highlighting how psychological, emotional, and contextual factors influence pain perception and patient experience. Exploring practical ways that paramedics can recognise and respond to chronic and psychological pain presentations in the field, including communication strategies, empathetic engagement, and appropriate referral pathways.

Spotlight on Pain Management - New and emerging approaches to pain management

Presented by: Adjunct Professor Bill Lord

This session aims to discuss the future of pain management in paramedicine by examining innovative strategies, technologies, and systems that can reshape clinical practice. The session will examine emerging approaches to pain management and highlight opportunities to integrate advances in pharmacology, diagnostics, and care coordination into paramedic practice to improve the care of patients experiencing pain.

Spotlight on Pain Management - Panel Discussion - James Oswald, Amy Underwood & Adjunct Professor Bill Lord

Presenter Biographies

James Oswald - James Oswald is a Clinical Practice Guideline Specialist and a registered paramedic with a strong focus on evidence-based care, quality improvement, and communicating change. He has a Master’s of Public Health with a focus on health policy and clinical research. He plays a key role in developing and implementing clinical guidelines to support paramedic practice across Victoria. James co-hosts Clinical Conversations, a podcast exploring complex clinical issues in prehospital care, and has contributed to research on clinical guideline development and patient safety.

Amy Underwood - Amy is a Clinical and Counselling endorsed psychologist with 25 years’ experience working predominantly with a persistent pain population. Working with an adult population, Amy uses a transtherapeutic framework to meet the therapy needs of her patients. Amy holds a Masters in Science Medicine (PainMgt), a Masters in Counselling Psychologist and a Graduate Diploma in Psychology Practice (Clinical). Amy has worked across many workspaces in her time including federal government, research roles, supervision and now in private practice. Amy is passionate about working in persistent pain and empowering others to improve their quality of life whilst living with persistent pain.

Adjunct Professor Bill Lord - Bill has worked as a paramedic academic and researcher at several Australian universities while also holding clinical appointments with Ambulance Victoria and the Queensland Ambulance Service. He is currently an elected Director to the board of the ACP and is a Life Member of the college, and Chair of the Paramedicine Accreditation Committee. In 2023 Bill received the award of Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant services to paramedicine education and research.

Moderator: Jessica Wissa, Critical Care Paramedic, Queensland Ambulance Service