title: Rationale for a medical society sponsored expert witness program.
abstract: The medical profession has many avenues by which to improve the present tort system as it regards medical negligence cases. One such avenue is a medical society sponsored expert witness program through which medical societies can assure that each case is being evaluated properly by an ethical and responsible physician. This effort will assist attorneys in weeding out medical negligence cases that are without merit and shepherding meritorious cases towards appropriate settlement. Such a program would be a positive step in discouraging the legal profession's use of the "professional expert." Finally, such a program might also provide funds for other worthwhile medical/legal projects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex., USA.
authors.forename: V R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Scarano
mesh_terms: D005104:Expert Testimony / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D018024:Peer Review, Health Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012955:Societies, Medical; D013781:Texas