Legal issues in dermatology: informed consent, complications and medical malpractice.

Legal considerations can arise in almost any aspect of a dermatology practice. A full textbook on health care law would be required to adequately cover the varied legal issues as they relate to dermatology. This article will focus on the relationship between informed consent and the development of complications that may lead to a cause of action based on negligence. Because it is the lack of informed consent that may form the basis of a medical malpractice claim, the issues of what constitutes a medical malpractice claim will be fully described.