The Mock Trial in Psychiatric Staff Education

Abstract

The mock trial is an important educational technique that has seldom been reported in the medical literature. In this paper we describe the evolution of mock trials as a regular component in the educational program for our multidisciplinary staff. The mock trial is not only an excellent strategy for teaching about the interface between psychiatry and the law, but also for teaching about malpractice, documentation, and medical reasoning. The most effective presentation used an actual case from our facility, practicing attorneys, and an experienced judge in a condensed version of a trial.