Profession

Neurologists update expert witness guidelines

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Feb. 6, 2006

Print  |   Email  |   Respond  |   Reprints  |   Like Facebook  |   Share Twitter  |   Tweet Linkedin

The American Academy of Neurology updated its 16-year-old expert witness testimony guidelines calling for tougher credentials and advising physicians to remain impartial.

The revised version includes a new section that defines elements of medical expert testimony, such as evaluating medical records and formulating an opinion, "to assist the court in understanding medical evidence."

As before, the qualifications affirm that experts must have a valid license to practice and require the expert to specialize in the area relevant to the case. But if a doctor is not practicing, the guidelines added that the expert must have relevant publication or teaching experience within three to five years of providing testimony.

The revised version also revamped guidelines to ensure that compensation and testimony are not tied to the outcome of the litigation. With regard to conduct, the new guidelines restate that "it is unethical for a medical expert to tie the level of compensation in a particular case to the outcome of that case." But the AAN added that medical expert witnesses who violate the rules of conduct are subject to peer review.

After increasing complaints from peers against other neurologists who provided expert witness testimony, the AAN decided the revision was overdue. The purpose of the new guidelines is "to promote expert testimony that is competent and grounded in science." The new guidelines took effect Jan. 10.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2006/02/06/prbf0206.htm.

Back to top


ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISE HERE


Featured
Read story

Confronting bias against obese patients

Medical educators are starting to raise awareness about how weight-related stigma can impair patient-physician communication and the treatment of obesity. Read story


Read story

Goodbye

American Medical News is ceasing publication after 55 years of serving physicians by keeping them informed of their rapidly changing profession. Read story


Read story

Policing medical practice employees after work

Doctors can try to regulate staff actions outside the office, but they must watch what they try to stamp out and how they do it. Read story


Read story

Diabetes prevention: Set on a course for lifestyle change

The YMCA's evidence-based program is helping prediabetic patients eat right, get active and lose weight. Read story


Read story

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture

The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out. Read story


Read story

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice

Federal, state and local governments offer doctors incentives because practices are recognized as economic engines. But physicians must know how and where to find them. Read story


Read story

Advance pay ACOs: A down payment on Medicare's future

Accountable care organizations that pay doctors up-front bring practice improvements, but it's unclear yet if program actuaries will see a return on investment. Read story


Read story

Physician liability: Your team, your legal risk

When health care team members drop the ball, it's often doctors who end up in court. How can physicians improve such care and avoid risks? Read story

  • Stay informed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn