ACS Statement Offers Guidelines for Surgeons Who Testify as Expert Witnesses

Surgeons who are called on to provide expert testimony for the plaintiff or the defense in a medical malpractice trial should be familiar with the American College of Surgeons’ (ACS) “Statement on the Physician Acting as an Expert Witness,” according to an article published in the July 2012 Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons. First published in June 2000, the statement provides guidelines to ensure that the highest-quality expert opinions are available to the public and to other physicians. In addressing the qualifications required for a physician who acts as an expert witness, ACS recommends that he or she should have had a current, valid state license to practice medicine at the time of the occurrence and should have been a diplomate of a specialty board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties at the time of the occurrence.