Lignocaine Liberation: Reclaiming Patient Centred Care During Emergency Department Speculum Examinations

This article examines the importance of analgesia during speculum exams in the emergency department (ED). As ED physicians, we can promote a comprehensive approach to pelvic examinations and advocate for peri-procedural analgesia for these patients. Emergency doctors should routinely inquire about women's needs and address them before the speculum exam. I discuss which populations may experience heightened pain and explore both non-pharmacological and pharmacological options for pain relief. There is a paucity of ED-based research addressing this issue, which urgently requires attention. Ensuring equitable access to analgesia is a fundamental clinical obligation.