Doctor FAQ
What is Physicians for Justice?
Physicians for Justice is a nonprofit network of Physician Advocates (including doctors and medical students at all levels of training) who are passionate about justice. Doctors can participate through a variety of activities, particularly by providing volunteer consultations for lawyers representing low-income individuals in legal cases that directly relate to illness.
How can I become a Physician Advocate?
Please get in touch with us and tell us a little bit about yourself, including your medical specialty and your area(s) of interest in the law.
We believe that our network’s privacy is essential. Our communications are limited exclusively to matters relating to the mission of the organization. We always ask permission before putting professionals in touch with each other, and we never sell or rent information.
Why should I volunteer as a Physician Advocate?
Illness and marginalization are linked. As healers, doctors also have a duty to advocate for a society that is non-harmful and aspires toward equity. Furthermore, doctors must recognize that the “social determinants of health” can be the direct result of systemic injustices, particularly laws that perpetuate discrimination or inequalities.
As a volunteer, you will learn how to use your voice as a doctor to help people stay in their homes, keep their jobs, have access to benefits, and other resources essential to staying healthy. This work is engaging, fun, and eye-opening.
As a volunteer am I liable for medical malpractice?
Medical malpractice laws vary by state but generally apply to doctors in the scope of medical practice. As volunteers, Physician Advocates are limited to reading records and providing commentary with the purpose of promoting access to justice. You will not be diagnosing or treating the lawyer’s client, and there will be no physician-patient relationship. Although we cannot make guarantees, it is extremely unlikely that you would be sued for medical malpractice in this context.
What if a case involves a reportable situation?
As a doctor volunteering on a legal team, you will remain bound by the laws of mandated reporting in your state. However, because lawyers have an absolute duty of confidentiality, they will take great care to protect any information that could result in a mandated report. For example, if a lawyer you are working with has medical questions regarding a case involving unreported domestic abuse, they may present you with records that redact the client’s name.
It is also important to note that as a volunteer consultant you will not be providing direct medical care to any client, and therefore you will not be bound by the typical rules of a physician-patient relationship. However, in the very unlikely event that as a volunteer you are presented with information about an identified individual who faces imminent harm or who poses a threat to others, you may be legally required to make a report. It is important to know the mandatory reporter laws in your state.
As a Physician Advocate, will I get paid?
No. Our physicians are volunteers and do not receive stipends, salaries, consulting fees, or other payment for services. In the future we hope to offer funded projects related to education and impact litigation with our legal professional partners. If you are interested in working with us to pursue academic work please get in touch.
Volunteering isn't going to work for me right now. Can I still help you?
Absolutely! If you are passionate about addressing justice issues, we want to hear from you. And if there is a particular project you are already working on, let us know how we can help.