Understanding the proper referral process for medicolegal assessments is crucial as more individuals attempt direct engagement with experts during compensation processes. Independent medicolegal experts must be engaged through legal representation to maintain ethical impartiality and report validity. This article explores the professional protocols, panel selection criteria, and the importance of maintaining independence in psychiatric assessments for legal proceedings.

Dr Helen Schultz examines the role of general adult psychiatrists in medicolegal practice, challenging professional barriers that limit access to essential independent medical examination services amid growing workforce shortages.

Navigating the complex intersection of AI technology and medicolegal practice requires expert understanding of both medical and legal frameworks. Our medicolegal consultancy provides clarity on emerging AI applications while ensuring compliance with professional standards and jurisdictional requirements.

Historical abuse matters require sophisticated psychiatric assessment that goes far beyond standard impairment percentages. Psychiatrists bring unique rapport-building skills and deep understanding of trauma's impact on identity, relationships, and work capacity—essential for complex medicolegal evaluations in this growing field.

The recent allegations of abuse in Melbourne childcare centres have revealed a devastating truth – our medicolegal system is failing the children who need it most.

Our system's reliance on 30-year-old impairment guidelines, shortage of qualified child specialists, and inappropriate assessment techniques creates barriers that may deny justice to those who need it most. These Melbourne cases present a critical opportunity for reform through urgent collaboration between medicolegal experts, legal professionals, and policymakers.

Without immediate reform, we risk failing another generation of abuse survivors.

Learn the systematic three-part framework for writing comprehensive medicolegal reports in historical abuse cases. Expert guidance on assessment planning, apportionment analysis, and defensible court opinions.

Learn how experienced psychiatrists are refining their medicolegal report writing through peer review. Discover key considerations for structuring IME reports that serve both clinical accuracy and legal proceedings effectively.

With over two decades of psychiatric expertise, I offer comprehensive mental health services that extend beyond the limitations of today's crisis-focused system.

My approach emphasises long-term care rather than brief crisis interventions. For patients with severe and complex mental health conditions, I provide stable, consistent treatment focused on building rapport, trust, and genuine recovery pathways.

Drawing on experience with residential and rehabilitation programs, I deliver wholistic care that addresses all aspects of mental wellbeing—not just medication management. This includes coordinating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure patients receive comprehensive support for sustainable recovery.

Industrial action puts psychiatric trainees at risk while negotiations stall between doctors and NSW Government.

A brief examination of the NSW psychiatry dispute's impact on trainees and the public mental health system, highlighting RANZCP support measures while warning of long-term damage to psychiatric training and recruitment despite any Industrial Relations Commission outcomes.

NSW Mental Health Crisis: Impact on Psychiatry Trainees as Mass Resignation Looms