This book is specifically designed for new psychiatrists and all other medical professionals
who lack the training necessary to confront the complicated legal and ethical issues that arise
at the intersection of the mental health and judicial systems. Written by experts in the field
each chapter begins with a challenging case vignette synthesized from a historical legal case
that places the reader in the role of the treatment provider. The text presents details of the
legal case historical significance and the precedent it set before discussing the core
principles of that particular subject area. Each chapter reviews the existing literature and
reinforces the most salient points. Topics include risk assessment substance misuse and the
law legal issues within child and adolescent psychiatry involuntary medication considerations
and other challenges that are often not sufficiently addressed in training. The text is
specifically designed for new psychiatrists and other professionals who are transitioning from
their studies into clinical practice concisely explaining and defining the issues in a
practical reader-friendly tone suitable as both a quick-reference in a busy environment or as
a resource for private study. Psychiatry and the Law: Basic Principles is an excellent resource
for new psychiatrists psychologists social workers students and other professionals
accommodating medical and legal boundaries in clinical practice.
