Davis GG:

Pathology and Law: A Practical Guide for the Pathologist, 168 pp, Springer-Verlag, New York, 2004 ($39.95).

While the advice of ‘keeping your mouth shut’ is very, very useful for physicians who are being deposed, testifying in front of a jury or, heaven forbid, being sued for malpractice, I just cannot keep my mouth shut about this book.

It is thoroughly readable—I read it in one day—and filled with useful facts of law as it relates to medicine in general and Pathology specifically in both narrow and broad aspects. It is peppered throughout with interesting case stories as a method of illustrating the principles presented. It is organized into 12 chapters and includes a very handy glossary of legal terms. The chapters begin with a comparison of law and medicine and explanation of the basics of the American Legal system, and goes on to discuss the influence of the legal system on the practice of pathology, expert witness testimony, quality assurance, interacting with the legislature and information about payment and contracts for such testimony and the impact of the information age and the attendant legal ramifications.

This book is a must read for pathologist, pathology residents, and clinicians.