Introduction: Why Understanding the Law Matters

Abstract

State and federal laws have a significant impact on the practice of medicine. Psychiatry is one of the most heavily legally regulated of all medical specialties. The law provides the boundaries in which clinical care operates; for example, limiting the circumstances within which psychiatrists may deprive patients of their civil liberties. Appreciating these boundaries is particularly important when working with individuals whose rights are already curtailed (e.g., correctional and forensic settings). Understanding how psychiatry and the law interface provides trainees with a foundation upon which to build their skills and habits through training and beyond. This text can be used to guide or supplement education on the legal regulation of psychiatry, the use of psychiatry to answer legal questions, and the treatment of criminally involved individuals. It is designed to introduce students, trainees, and practicing mental health professionals to core concepts at the intersection of psychiatry and the law, with each chapter focusing on a topic relevant to clinical practice.