Guidelines for the physician expert witness. American College of Physicians.

Editorial Note: The Clinical Practice Subcommittee of the College's Health and Public Policy Committee undertook development of "Guidelines for the Physician Expert Witness" in order to encourage broad physician participation in providing this much-needed assistance to the legal system. The College believes that more physicians should serve as experts as a component of their professional activities in order to meet the need for medical testimony rather than a few physicians with little current involvement in patient care spending disproportionate amounts of time testifying. The guidelines, adapted from the "Statement on Qualifications and Guidelines for the Physician Expert Witness" by the Council of Medical Specialty Societies (20 March 1989), recommend qualifications for experts and give general guidance.