Book review: Health law and ethics- critical reflections with Dr Alexander Thomas

There has been a 400% rise in medical negligence cases before the courts and in such scenarios many doctors who are unaware of the position of law on various aspects find themselves at loss. At the same time, there is an increased rather growing need for practitioners to be aware about the ethical clinical practices which may not be a legal requirement but is absolutely necessary for upholding the sanctity of the medical profession.

So here is a little more about the book. As previously mentioned, it talks about health law and ethics. It has a foreword written by Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty, who is the Chairman of Narayana Health. He talk about the slop shift in the status of health care professionals who where once healers of a noble profession to today`s different scenario where they are even being assaulted. The main reason he explains is because of the lack of awareness and understanding of the healthcare worker`s rights in the eyes of the law.

The book has 20 chapters written by expert lawyers and doctors on various aspects of medical law and ethics. Some of the chapters include- law of medical negligence, medical profession and its regulation. Law of consent and medical treatment, end of life care the legal framework, law of organ transplantation and many more such topics.