BOA Medico-legal Guidance
A number of guidance documents on specific, topical medico-legal issues published by the BOA can be found below.
Expert Witness Guidance: Preparing Medico-legal Reports
This document with practical guidance for orthopaedic surgeons preparing expert medico-legal reports updates the guidance from the BOA Professional Practice Committee, previously published in the Journal of Trauma and Orthopaedics in March and June 2015.
Best Practice for Hip Arthroplasty Surgery Documentation - Full document
As part of ongoing work both to improve patient outcomes and to reduce litigation costs within the NHS, a large series of hip arthroplasty cases in which complaints were made have been reviewed.
Best Practice for Knee Arthroplasty Surgery Documentation - Full document
As part of ongoing work both to improve patient outcomes and to reduce litigation costs within the NHS, a large series of knee arthroplasty cases in which complaints were made, have been reviewed.
New guidance on COVID-19 vaccination, surgery and steroids
22nd January 2021 - Guidance on the timing of vaccination, surgery and steroid injection, and other issues relevant to surgical patients, has now been published.
Orthopaedic surgeons and medico-legal matters
Author: David Warwick
How Not to Be an Expert Witness: Important Lessons from a Recent Court Case
Author: Michael Foy, Chair, BOA Medicolegal Committee First published in the March 2017 edition of the JTO
Evolution of the Objective-Subjective Test of Material Risk in Consent
Author: Simon Britten, Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon, Secretary for BRLS First published in the December 2018 edition of the JTO
Montgomery and Wrist Fractures: What Should we Tell the Patient?
Author: David Warwick, Hand Surgeon, Member of BOA Medico-legal Committee First published in the December 2016 edition of the JTO