That hug probably meant more to the patient than anything else you could do !! I remeber when a gp rushed me into hossie via ambulane for a twisted/blocked bowel that I hade 2 major operations for in the end - the paramedic who I knew well from my brittle asthma admissions - he sat there with me and because they couldnt get an IV I couldnt have painkillers as gas+air wasnt appropriate - he sat there and could do no more than "hold" my hand all the way in after control had upgraded it to a blues+2's response BUT when you are in pain sometimes any form of supportive contact is better than any painkillers you could have given !!