Law and Medical Practice

"Law and Medical Practice: Rights, Duties, Claims and Defences" by Loane Skene is a comprehensive legal text that explores the intersection of law and medical practice. Here is a detailed overview of the book:

Key Themes

1. Consent and Capacity:

   • The book delves into the legal frameworks surrounding consent in medical treatment, including the concepts of informed consent and the capacity to give consent. It examines how the law addresses failures in obtaining consent through actions such as contract and battery, and it includes a specific section on consent and capacity in relation to children.

2. Substituted Decision-Making:

   • The text explores the legal and other mechanisms for handling substituted decision-making, which involves making decisions on behalf of individuals who lack capacity to make their own medical treatment decisions.

3. Harm Caused by Medical Treatment:

   • A chapter in the book addresses how the law deals with harm caused to patients as a result of medical treatment, providing insights into liability and compensation.

4. Confidentiality and Privacy:

   • The book examines ethical and legal issues related to confidentiality and privacy in the patient-doctor relationship, including circumstances under which patients can access their medical records.

5. Regulation of Reproduction:

   • The text covers aspects of reproductive law, including assisted reproductive technologies (ART), prenatal screening, abortion, and surrogacy.

Plot Summary

The book is structured around these key themes, providing a structured approach to understanding the legal aspects of medical practice. It begins with foundational concepts such as consent and capacity, then moves on to more specialized topics like substituted decision-making and harm caused by medical treatment. The final section focuses on ethical and legal issues in confidentiality and privacy, as well as the regulation of reproduction.

Critical Reception

The book has received positive reviews for its clarity and comprehensive coverage of the subject matter. Here are some excerpts from available reviews:

• Informit Review:

  • "Law and Medical Practice: Rights, Duties, Claims and Defences, the latest book by Loane Skene, is a welcome addition to the previously small number of texts that address the legal aspects of medical practice. The book is written in a clear and straightforward style, making it an ideal source of reference for readers from either a legal or a medical background".

• UTasLawRw Review:

  • "In summary, Skene highlights the changes in society and their impact on medical practice. The book provides a thorough analysis of the rights, duties, claims, and defences in medical practice, making it a valuable resource for practitioners and students alike".

• Booktopia Review:

  • "Written in a clear and straightforward style, Law and Medical Practice is an ideal source of reference for readers from either a legal or a medical background. The third edition has been updated to reflect recent changes in the field, making it a must-have for anyone working in healthcare law".

Overall, "Law and Medical Practice" by Loane Skene is a highly regarded text that provides a comprehensive and accessible exploration of the legal dimensions of medical practice. Its clarity and thoroughness make it a valuable resource for both legal and medical professionals.