Law, ethics, and the clinical neurologist

There is dynamic interplay between the disciplines of law and ethics, and the result is often laws and regulation that impact the practice of clinical neurology. This chapter explores how the disciplines of law and ethics inform and intersect with each other, and how resulting law impacts the everyday work of the clinical neurologist. Examples of how the core bioethical principles of nonmaleficence, beneficence, respect for autonomy, and justice are manifest in legislative, common, and administrative laws are presented. Examples of how these laws, in turn, impact the practice of neurology through protection of patient privacy, the avoidance of conflict of interest, and informed consent and other issues are offered.