Going into private or medico-legal practice

Many psychiatrists think that all they have to do in order to go into private or medico-legal practice is to show willing and charge money. The truth, unsurprisingly, is much more complex.

In this module you will learn about:

• some of the common pitfalls when starting up a practice,
• why you are in real danger of breaking the law if you do not know what you are doing,
• how to make what you do pleasurable, lawful and profitable,
• how to start your practice when you are working in the NHS.

By the end of the module you should be in a good position to start your practice on a sound basis. In particular, you will have recognised that you are going into business and have a good understanding of the laws and conventions that surround this world.