Acceptance Declaration
Accept
Additional Information
I declare I have no actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to this program.
Accepted Type
Oral
Category
General Call (Workshop, Oral Presentation, Poster Presentation)
Type
Oral
Sub Type
Education Research
Considered for Poster
yes
Title
Medicolegal Education - Are Physicians Adequately Trained in Law?
Background/Purpose
Physicians regularly perform medicolegal activities, from completing medicolegal reports to testifying as expert witnesses. Yet medical students and residents often lack training on medicolegal issues and legal proceedings. Trainees can feel intimidated when writing reports and testifying, as they face unfamiliar legal nuances, often are unacquainted with courtroom etiquette, and may be questioned on their expertise.
Methods
Medical school curricula generally do not address medicolegal topics. This study evaluated adequacy of medicolegal education offered in medical school, residency, and post-residency. A five-part questionnaire was used to elicit information on physician training, confidence, challenges, and unmet needs regarding medicolegal education. Confidence was assessed on a five-level scale from "Not Confident" to "Highly Confident."
Results
The surveyed physicians (N = 201), included family physicians and specialists. More than 80% had received no medicolegal education or training in medical school or residency. Self-reported physician confidence about completing insurance, legal, and disability forms, writing medicolegal reports, and testifying was at best moderate. Regardless of their training, all respondents perceived multiple challenges. Approximately 85% expressed a need for more education and training on medicolegal issues. The most frequently preferred form of training and/or education was small group learning or workshops.
Conclusion
Despite the tremendous overlap of the medical and legal system, few studies in Canada have explored the current medicolegal training provided and its adequacy. This study shows a clear unmet need for further medicolegal education in Canadian medical schools and residency programs as well as after residency. Physicians generally lack confidence about medicolegal activities, and the current medicolegal education has not increased their confidence. Incorporating medicolegal workshops in the medical curriculum, residency programs, or continuing education may help increase physician confidence about medicolegal issues and solidify their role as medical experts in the legal system.
Keyword 1
Medicolegal
Keyword 2
Medical Expert
Keyword 3
Medical Education
Level of Training
General
Abstract Themes
Inter-professional Education
Additional Theme (First choice)
Undergraduate
Additional Theme (Second Choice)
Postgraduate
Additional Theme (Third Choice)
Continuing Medical Education
Authors
Term 1
Yes
Term 2
Yes
Term 3
Yes
Term 4
Yes
Term 5
Yes