The Art and Science of Expert Witness Testimony
An essential overview of the keys to being an effective expert witness, with relevance for all clinical disciplines
Overview
Physicians, psychologists and neuropsychologists are likely to be pulled into court as treating witnesses, particularly in specialties such as orthopedic surgery, neurology, pathology and psychiatry. Additionally, many physicians seek out expert witness work for the intellectual challenge and practice-building opportunities. Yet there is almost no formal training in expert witness testimony offered in medical school or residency and few high-quality opportunities exist for training with trusted colleagues via CME or CE.
The goal of this course is for participants to identify and develop new skills to address the areas where the needs and expectations of the courtroom collide with the communication habits clinicians have developed over years of academic and professional training. Topics include shifting one's mindset from academic teaching to juror-focused relational communication, using clear language and vivid visuals, understanding the needs of various courtroom stakeholders, establishing credibility and regulating one's own emotions during testimony. Participants will gain key insights to answer the central question: “Does the answer I am about to give help these specific jurors with their difficult intellectual task of deciding the case?”
Join course director Karen Postal PhD, ABPP-CN and special guest faculty from both the medical and legal professions as they discuss the do's and don't s of being an effective expert witness!
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
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Identify the actual communication partner in the courtroom setting
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Utilize vivid metaphors and accessible visuals in testimony
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Outline elements and characteristics that define an expert witness as credible by jurors
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Define the unique needs of all courtroom stakeholders
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Summarize the relational dynamics between stakeholders
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Develop specific strategies for regulating one's emotional response in the courtroom in order to remain unbiased in testimony
Curriculum
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Introduction
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1. Who is Our Real Communication Partner? Helping Jurors with their Intellectual Work Product
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2. Person-Centered Credibility: We Have a Direct, Dynamic and Unique Relationship with Each Juror
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3. Communicating in the Language of Our Listeners to Reach Common Sense
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4. The Difficult but Necessary Emotional Work of Expert Witnesses
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5. Disrupting Traditional Academic Communication Patterns During Expert Witness Testimony
About this course
- $150.00
- 7.5 hours of video content
Faculty
The Honorable Lynne A. Battaglia, MA, JD
Judge (Retired), Court of Appeals of Maryland
Judith G. Edersheim, JD, MD
Founding Co-Director, MGH Center for Law, Brain & Behavior; Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School; Attorney
Nancy Hebben, PhD, ABPP-CN
Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry, Part-time, Cambridge Health Alliance
Karen Postal, PhD, ABPP-CN (Course Director)
Clinical Neuropsychologist; Lecturer on Psychiatry, Part-time, Cambridge Health Alliance
Antonio Puente, PhD
Professor of Psychology, University of North Carolina Wilmington
Ronald Sullivan, Jr., JD
Jesse Climenko Clinical Professor of Law, Harvard Law School; Director, Harvard Criminal Justice Institute
Continuing Education
Psychologists: Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This course offers 7.75 continuing education credits.
Social Workers: Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an Approved Provider #0038 of continuing education for licensed social workers. This course offers 7.75 contact hours. Social workers from other states should check with their individual board to confirm credit reciprocity with NY.
Counselors: Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5444. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. This course meets the requirements for 7.75 continuing education hours, and is also applicable for Commonwealth of Massachusetts Counseling/Allied Mental Health accreditation for 7.75 credits.