title: Application and synthesis of statistical evidence in medical negligence.
abstract: Statistical evidence has direct effects on the practice of medicine and the standards set by the profession. In turn, this has implications in medical negligence, particularly with respect to the standard of care expected of health care providers. In this article, we investigate the role that statistical evidence plays in the interaction between medicine and law when appropriate medical care is considered. A quantitative appraisal of such evidence is suggested in order to maintain the high objective professional standards demanded by both medicine and law.
authors.affiliation: Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moynihan
authors.forename: Kerrie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mengersen
mesh_terms: D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D013223:Statistics as Topic