Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4467 in Books
• Published on: 2007-06-28
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 592 pages

Synopsis
"Medicine, Patients and the Law" is a leading book in its field, aimed at practitioners and students of both law and medicine, as well as the general reader. It examines the regulation of medical practice, the rights and duties of patients and their medical advisers, the provision of compensation for medical mishaps and the framework of rules governing those delicate issues of life and death where medicine, morals and the law overlap. The fourth edition of this highly acclaimed book is fully updated to cover recent changes in law and medical practice. Among other current issues, it addresses the radical reforms proposed by the Shipman Inquiry, the impact of change within the NHS, the Mental Capacity Act of 2005 and includes a new chapter on access to health care. Clear explanations of legal issues make this book accessible and absorbing.

Customer Reviews

Surprisingly good, not just a book for lawyers
I am interested in the ethics of embryonic stem cell research and someone recommended I read this book. I'm not one for legal jargon so was apprehensive, but this is a brilliant resource and contains some absolutely fascinating information about all areas of medical law. Some parts were a little tough for me but this is primarily a law text (and I'm not a lawyer). I was very pleased to find it far from daunting for the most part.

Readily approachable
Of all the books I've read in this area, this was the one that particularly interested me. Her style and language was clear, and did not weigh the text down with too much legal terminology making it equally approachable for those in medicine as those in law. If you want to know about this area this is the book to read.

Good, could be better
This book is undoubtedly a good introduction to the highly complex area of medical law, however I do have some reservations.

Firstly, in places the book is a bit tough going, particularly for the uninitiated in medico-legal matters. There is a lot of "waffle" which could probably be condensed or explained more clearly.

Secondly, the author seems to place a great deal of emphasis on the legalities of sterilizing mentally ill women. I work in healthcare, and it is not an issue which has ever appeared so pressing to me or my colleagues as it has been presented in this book. It seems to rear its head for chapter after chapter, when there are probably more important matters to be explained.

This is not to detract from the general good quality of the book, however - it's well worth a read, you'll just need to stay focused to get through!