Emergency physicians as expert witnesses: 'from frontline wise to courtroom woes'.

A 'Medical Expert' witness is one who has been accepted by the court as having special knowledge of the subject about which they are testifying and as a result is allowed to give evidence of their medical opinion. In contrast, ordinary witnesses can only give evidence regarding facts that they have observed. Emergency medicine is one of a few speciality areas of medicine more likely to be involved in legal proceedings. Preparing the emergency physician to be an expert witness is an invaluable part of their training. Education in this area should concentrate on the purpose of the evidence, the legal framework in which it is delivered and the specific skill requirements of medical expert witnesses.