Rehabilitation on the frontline: Insights from Mike Palmer

Today, we’re diving into a critical yet often overlooked subject:
rehabilitation for pre-hospital staff. The physical and mental
demands of frontline work are relentless. Paramedics, HEMS crews,
and pre-hospital teams operate in high-stress environments,
managing unpredictable situations, heavy workloads, and repeated
exposure to trauma. But what happens when the body or mind says,
“I can’t keep going”? How do we help our colleagues recover and
return, not just functioning, but stronger, healthier, and more
resilient?


I’m joined by Mike Palmer, a highly experienced critical care
clinician with lived experience of injury and recovery. Together,
we’ll unpack the scale of injury across pre-hospital care,
identify gaps in current rehabilitation practices, and explore
why a structured, personalised approach is essential for
long-term sustainability in this field. We’ll also take a
personal look at Mike’s own journey, how he navigated his
recovery, the obstacles he encountered, and the insights he
gained along the way.


But this conversation goes beyond rehabilitation, it’s about
reimagining how we care for those who care for others. Whether
you're on the frontline, leading a team, or simply passionate
about well-being in emergency medicine, this episode offers
valuable perspectives on how we can better support, rehabilitate,
and retain our pre-hospital workforce.


Useful links that Mike mentions in the episode can be found here:


https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31537564/


https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925753524000092


https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33492279/


https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35000895/


https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26371071/


https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34972683/


https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26371071/


https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26281820/



This episode is sponsored by PAX: The gold standard in
emergency response bags.


When you’re working under pressure, your kit needs to be
dependable, tough, and intuitive. That’s exactly what you get
with PAX. Every bag is handcrafted by expert tailors who
understand the demands of pre-hospital care. From the high-tech,
skin-friendly, and environmentally responsible materials to the
cutting-edge welding process that reduces seams and makes
cleaning easier, PAX puts performance first. They’ve partnered
with 3M to perfect reflective surfaces for better visibility, and
the bright grey interior makes finding gear fast and effortless,
even in low light. With over 200 designs, PAX bags are made to
suit your role, needs, and environment. And thanks to their
modular system, many bags work seamlessly together, no matter the
setup.


PAX doesn’t chase trends. Their designs stay consistent, so once
you know one, you know them all. And if your bag ever takes a
beating? Their in-house repair team will bring it back to
life.PAX – built to perform, made to last.



Learn more at pax-bags.com