Risk Management and Litigation in Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Published by the Royal Society of Medicine Press in association with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

Every obstetrician and gynaecologist needs to know how to minimize the risk of clinical negligence and also how to handle court cases and claims, since they may have to give evidence as witnesses, medical experts or defendants at some stage during their career. This book enables obstetricians and gynaecologists to practise safety and with confidence.

The first section focuses on the law, and considers the duties of the obstetrician, with respect to liability and causation in clinical negligence claims. It also discusses the crucial issue of valid consent and the Civil Procedure Rules.

The second section considers the principles of clinical risk management and includes an analysis of adverse outcomes, the basic principles of risk management, and how they relate to obstetrics and gynaecology.

Principles underlying current practices in obstetrics are addressed in the third section. Topics discussed include prenatal screening, antenatal care, intrapartum care and operative obstetrics. The association between intrapartum events and cerebral palsy is discussed.

The final section focuses on current opinion in approaches to gynaecology, including gynaecological surgery and oncology, endoscopy, sterilization/contraception, induced abortion, fertility/assisted conception and urogynaecology.

This is a comprehensive, essential read for all practising obstetricians, gynaecologists and risk managers.

Highly Commended for The inaugural Minty Prize of the Medico-Legal Society for a medico-legal book at the Society of Authors and the Royal Society of Medicine Book Awards, 2002