| The Society's Objectives |
The object of the Society is to promote Medico-Legal knowledge in all its aspects. This is to be achieved by holding meetings at which papers are read and discussed. Meetings are usually held on the second Thursday of the months of October to June at 7 p.m. at the Royal Society of Medicine, 1 Wimpole Street, in central London. View the full programme on our programmme page. Continuing education credit for these meeting may be obtained from many organisations, providing excellent value. The official organ of the Society is the Medico-Legal Journal. Please see the contents of the latest issue. View subscription information here |
| Article of the month |
| Are We Living in Depressing Times That Are Not NICE |
| Prof H Zeitlin |
| This article is taken from the Medico-Legal Journal, which provides readers with considered and stimulating articles on all aspects of medico-legal theory and practice. |
| Abstract The recent much publicised criticism of antidepressant therapy raises issues about control of medical practice. This article examines the wider implications relevant not just to mental health. Misunderstandings about diagnosis, practice guidelines, recommendations based on meta-analysis and the nature of evidence, risk undermining the principles of Evidence Based Practice. Managerially determined rigid rules for treatment may facilitate reduction of cost within the Health Service but the concomitant reduction in recognition of the complexity of disorder and its management risks creating a slippery slope likely to damage progressively the quality of health care. Clinicians will be at increased risk of litigation even when using best judgement and scientific evidence. |
 Download the article |
| You will also need an Acrobat Reader for downloading some documents |
