Martin's research focuses on improving quality of life, survival, prognostication, and doctor-patient communication for those affected by cancer, particularly those arising from genitourinary, breast, gynaecologic, and lung primaries. His clinical focus is genitourinary cancer.

The first protocol he wrote was for a randomised trial incorporating quality of life assessment in routine clinical practice; alas, the trial never happened. His first successful protocol was for a small (tiny), placebo-controlled, crossover trial of paracetamol (acetaminophen) for people with advanced cancer and troublesome pain despite a strong opioid regimen (J Clin Oncol 2004: 22; 3389).