Abstract

JACK ZUSMAN M.D., M.P.H. 1 , and WILLIAM A. CARNAHAN LL.M. 2 1 Professor of Psychiatry, State University of New York at Buffalo 2 Clinical Associate Professor of Forensic Psychiatry, School of Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo and Lecturer in Law and Psychiatry, Faculty of Law and Jurisprudence The development of a more useful relationship between psychiatry and the law depends upon mutual understanding and solution of common problems. Present training in law for psychiatrists emphasizes acceptance of the status quo. The authors propose a new training approach involving both disciplines that would emphasize interactional problems and practical methods for bringing about change, thus improving the present system.