This work critically evaluates the development of the tort of medical negligence throughout the common law, looking at many jurisdictions such as the UK, Canada, Ireland and Australia.
History and culture of the medical profession. Medical negligence - diagnosis and treatment. The expert medical witness. Disclosure and the doctrine of informed consent. The professional standard assessment of disclosure. Twin challenges: the elective and the inquisitive patients. Disclosure and consent - negligence and battery. Proof of causation in malpractice trials. Diagnosis, treatment and disclosure in the research context. Medical negligence in its legal, clinical and social context.
