Medicine and mental health intersect with a broad range of legislation, financing systems, standards, scientific and socio-political issues. This is particularly true in the field of psychiatry, which differs from many other medical specialties due to its involvement with particular systems/processes (eg. involuntary admission, the justice system). As such, psychiatrists face increased medico-legal risk. However, despite the risk, if medico-legal issues are understood and managed, they can be controlled.
RANZCP recognises the concerns of its members in relation to medico-legal risk and has provided a number of resources to address some of these concerns.
Guidelines
For more information contact policy@ranzcp.org