Swati Jha and Eloise Power (eds), Lessons from Medicolegal Cases in Obstetrics and Gynaecology: Improving Clinical Practice

Abstract

This book sets out to achieve a commendable and important goal: to facilitate the use of medico-legal case law as a tool for improving clinical practice in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology, by ensuring that past mistakes are not repeated (p 12). In doing so, it covers impressive ground—addressing cases related to a diverse range of topics including obstetric perineal trauma (Chapter 6), assisted vaginal birth (Chapter 14), endometriosis (Chapter 19), and gynaecological malignancy (Chapter 25). The real strength of this book lies in its ability to cut through two technical and complex fields (law and medicine) in order to provide legal and clinical commentaries which are succinct and written with commendable clarity, such that they are accessible to those outside of the respective fields. Throughout, care is taken to minimise the use of jargon, and technical terms are generally well explained for the lay reader. As a consequence, this book is a useful resource not only for both lawyers and clinicians, but also for researchers and others with an interest in this field.