Why, How and When I Run My Medico-Legal Practice  (1)

Description

In this engaging speech, Deborah Eastwood shares her unconventional journey in the field of medical legal work. With a candid apology for her eagerness to speak, she humorously acknowledges her lack of business skills and the challenges she faced along the way, including advice from her accountant to discontinue her work due to financial losses. Starting her career with medical legal work as a young consultant, she recounts building a private practice focused primarily on personal injury cases but expresses her disinterest in repetitive cases like whiplash.



As she reflects on her early experiences, Deborah highlights how they refined her clinical skills and sharpened her observational abilities, allowing her to better interpret patients' conditions. As her career progressed, she shifted her focus from adults to children, notably tackling cases related to cerebral palsy. This transition has deepened her understanding of the inequities in the healthcare and social care systems, influencing her role in advocating for her patients while navigating the complexities of medical legal opinions in court.



Through the years, Deborah has learned to manage expectations, educate patients about medical processes, and deal with the emotions tied to medical negligence cases. She emphasizes the importance of clear communication and documentation while recognizing the systemic issues that often lead to tragic outcomes. Ultimately, she encourages her audience, composed of healthcare professionals, to engage with medical legal work, viewing it as a chance to contribute to better practices and patient care while learning and growing through their experiences.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-221665

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