title: Expert witness/legal consultant: the importance of data collection.
abstract: Claims resulting from medical negligence are increasing at an alarming rate, resulting in an increasing demand for nursing specialists who can act as a legal consultant or expert witness. This article reviews the role of the nurse as a legal consult and/or expert witness, emphasizes the importance of data collection, and offers a list of healthcare-related documents, records, materials, and other evidence to assist the consultant.
authors.affiliation: University of South Alabama, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McElhaney
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Beare
mesh_terms: D003253:Consultants; D003625:Data Collection / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods*; D004282:Documentation / Q000592:standards; D005104:Expert Testimony / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence