Book Review
Essentials of Law for Health Professionals
K Forrester and D Griffiths
ISBN: 1-875897-66-6; 2001; 390 pages; Harcourt Australia;
Di Wickett
Doctoral Student, Department of Clinical Nursing, Adelaide University, North Terrace, SA
At last, a book that is contemporary, succinct, and simply explains the law in relation to health professional practice. Authors Kim Forrester and Debra Griffiths are both nurse lawyers with years of clinical experience in a wide range of clinical areas. They have managed to combine their clinical experience and legal backgrounds to produce a book that emphasises how the law affects health professional practice. Each chapter commences with learning objectives, continues with comprehensive explanations, where, in many instances, cases are cited where a precedent has been set, and then is completed with review questions and activities. Reading lists are included at the completion of each chapter to encourage the reader to pursue areas of interest.
The book is divided into four sections. Section one explains in detail the structure of the Australian legal system, including the hierarchy of the courts, the doctrine of precedent and the sources of the law. There have been several health professional Acts reviewed in the past five years; explanation is given on the stages of passing an Act of Parliament and how to read an Act and subsequent regulations. Section two addresses legal concepts for health professionals, specifically, management of client information, negligence and the issue of client consent to treatment. At completion of this section the reader is very clear as to the current interpretation of law in relation to informed consent.
Section three addresses life and death issues, particularly the client's rights in relation to refusal of treatment, perspectives on human tissue removal, plus criminal law matters and the coroner. The final section, working within the law, is of particular interest because employment contracts, industrial legislation (including enterprise bargaining) and the significant legislation likely to impact on the health professional are discussed.
While the authors believe the book is suitable for students undertaking studies in health sciences, I believe all health professionals would benefit from reading this book. An excellent book, highly recommended as essential reading for students and all health professionals.
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