The law, medical students, and assault.

As students most doctors will have performed examinations on patients who have not given explicit consent. Surgeons invited told the students to participate. It might have been embarrassing to do examinations under the instructions of the gynaecologist, but did realise that they were laying themselves open to charges of assault? article discusses the differences between students and doctors with to the law about touching patients. Although it has not yet been in the courts, a student would have little defence to a charge of and might be liable to punitive damages. Traditionally, medical have been taught how to do vaginal examinations by examining women are anaesthetised. Concern has been expressed about this being done the woman's consent or knowledge. Some medical schools have introduced procedures, but these are by no means universal. Although I will be vaginal examination my conclusions are relevant to all specialties students touch patients.