I started to develop my medicolegal practice with Resolve Medicolegal not long after being appointed as an Orthopaedic Consultant Surgeon, now seven years ago. I have enjoyed this aspect of my professional development for several reasons.
Medicolegal reporting requires a skillset that is allied to but distinct from that required in clinical practice. Impartiality, candour and reasoned judgement are prerequisites in both medical and legal professionals, however the narrative used when describing injuries in medicolegal reporting differs to that used normally by clinicians, particularly with the concept of acceleration or exacerbation of pre-existing disease when opining on causation in relation to injury.
I have found that my medicolegal practice has been invaluable in my continuing professional development. Writing reports regularly encourages clinicians to continually keep up to date with new literature and recent advancements in our understanding of patients’ recovery from injury and surgery. My reporting practice has engendered many interesting discussions with other orthopaedic surgeons, resulting in shared experience and expertise over differing fields of sub-specialisation. I have enjoyed being part of the development of Resolve Medicolegal’s Annual General Meeting Education Seminars and Court Training Days, which have grown in popularity year on year. Since its inception by Mark Broadbent, my involvement as a Director of Resolve Medicolegal , has developed my understanding and interest in running a business and management skills.
I have particularly enjoyed developing relationships with legal colleagues in some of the most respected firms in Scotland, and I am keen to learn from them ways in which I can continuously improve the quality of my reports. I believe Resolve Medicolegal provides a valuable interface between the legal and medical professions, to mutual benefit. The communication networks that the platform this company has provided will, I am sure, be invaluable in meeting the future challenges to the Personal Injury industry.
