Bryan A. Liang, MD, PhD, JD

Bryan A. Liang, MD, PhD, JD is Professor of Anesthesiology and Director of San Diego Center for Patient Safety at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. He received his BS from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MD from Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, PhD from the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy Studies and JD from Harvard Law School.

The focus of his work is the systemic impact of health policy and law on providers, patients, and patient safety, broadly construed. He combines his experience working in policy contexts in Asia, the European Union, and the United States with legal, medical, and economics training to formulate rational social policy promoting patient safety.

Dr. Liang is also the Doctor’s Docket editor of the Journal of Clinical Anesthesia, which provides legal and clinical commentary on lawsuits involving anesthesiology. Some previous Doctor’s Docket articles are linked here.

In addition to being faculty in the Department of Anesthesiology and Director of the San Diego Center for Patient Safety, Dr. Liang also serves as the Shapiro Distinguished Professor of Health Law and Executive Director of the Institute of Health Law Studies, California Western School of Law.

References (Selected From More Than 300 Publications)

Liang BA, Mackey T, Lovett KM. Suspect Online Sellers and Contraceptive Access. Contraception. 2012; In press. 

Liang BA, Lovett KM. Online Elder Abuse: Addressing Senior Safety Risks. Experience. 2012; In press. 

Mackey TM, Liang BA, Kubic T. A Way Forward: A Global Health Governance Framework for Dangerous Medicines. Foreign Affairs. 2012; In press. 

Mackey TM, Liang BA. Brain Drain: Exploring Resource Allocation to Address Health Worker Migration and Promote Global Health. Health Policy. 2012; In press. 

Lovett KM, Liang BA. Direct-to-Consumer Disease Screening with Finger-Stick Testing: Online Patient Safety Risks. Clin Chem. 2012; In press. 

Liang BA, Mackey T, Lovett KM. Emerging Dangers from Direct Botulinum Access and Use. J Homeland Sec Emerg Manag. 2012; In press. 

Lovett KM, Liang BA. Quality Care Opportunities: Refining Physician Performance Measurement in the Ambulatory Care Setting. Am J Managed Care. 2012; In press.

Lovett KM, Liang BA, Mackey T. Risks of Online Direct-to-Consumer Tumor Markers for Cancer Screening. J Clin. Onc. 2012 doi: 10.1200/JCO.2011.37.8984; In press.

Liang BA, Mackey T, Lovett, KM. eHealth Ethics: The Online Medical Marketplace and Emerging Ethical Issues. Ethics Biol Eng Med. 2012; In press. 

Liang BA, Lovett KM. Error Disclosure and Patient Safety: Integrating Lessons and Entity Culture for Continuous System Improvement. In: Agrawal A., ed. Clinical Case Series in Patient Safety. New York: Springer, 2012; In press.

Mackey T, Liang BA. Integrating Biodiversity Management and Indigenous Biopiracy Protection to Promote Environmental Justice and Global Health. Am J Pub Health. 2012; In press.

Liang BA, Mackey T. Biosimilars and Patient Safety Risk: Promoting Policy Protections in the Health Delivery System. Rev Health Care. 2012;3(2):71-74.

Liang BA, Mackey T. Addressing Illicit Online Pharmacies: Global Patient Safety and Regulatory Challenges. In: Counterfeit Medicines: Policy, Economics, and Countermeasures 75-89 (Albert Wertheimer & Perry Wang, eds. 2012).

Liang, BA, Mackey T. Creating Illicit Laparoscopic Appendectomy Operating Rooms Using Online Sourcing. Am Surg. 2012;78(4):502-503.

Liang BA, Mackey T. Preparing for Health Diplomacy Negotiations—Global Governance and the Case of Taiwan, WHO, and SARS. In: Ellen Rosskam & Ilona Kickbusch, eds., Negotiating and Navigating Global Health: Case Studies in Global Health Diplomacy. London: Imperial College World Scientific Press, 2012, 173-202.

Mackey T, Liang BA, Lovett KM. Waking Up to the Risks of Online Direct-to-Consumer Advertising of Sleep Apnea Screening Tests. J Clin Sleep Med. 2012;8(1):5-6.

Liang BA, Mackey T. Online Availability and Safety of Drugs in Shortage: A Descriptive Study of Internet Vendor Characteristics. J Med Internet Res. 2012;14(1):e27 doi:10.2196/jmir.1999. 

Liang BA, Lovett KM, Mackey, TK. eElder Abuse. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2012;60:398–400. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2011.03798.x

Mackey T, Liang BA. Lessons from SARS and 2009 H1N1 influenza: Employing a WHO-WTO Forum to Promote Optimal Economic-Public Health Pandemic Response. J Pub Health Policy. 2012;33(1):119-131 doi:10.1057/jphp.2011.51.

Liang BA, Mackey T. Vaccine Shortages and Suspect Online Pharmacy Sellers. Vaccine. 2012;30(2):103-105 doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.11.016. 

Lovett KM, Liang BA. Risks of Online Advertisement of Direct-to-Consumer Thermography for Breast Cancer Screening. Nature Reviews Cancer. 2011; 11(12): 827-828 doi:10.1038/nrc3170.

Liang BA, Mackey T. Emerging Patient Safety Issues Under Healthcare Reform: Follow On Biologics and Immunogenicity. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2011;7:483-489. 

Mackey T, Liang BA. Off Label Promotion Reform: A Legislative Proposal Addressing Vulnerable Patient Drug Access and Limiting Inappropriate Pharmaceutical Marketing. Univ Mich J Law Reform. 2011; 45(1):1-54.

Liang BA, Mackey T. Quality and Safety in Health Care: What Does What the Future Hold? Arch Path Lab Med. 2011;135:1425-1431.

Mackey T, Liang BA. The Global Counterfeit Drug Trade: Patient Safety and Public Health Risks. J Pharm Sci. 2011;100(11):4571-4579.

Liang BA, Mackey T. Prevalence and Global Health Implications of Social Media in Direct-to-Consumer Drug Advertising. J Med Internet Res. 2011;13(3):e64 doi:10.2196/jmir.1775.

Mackey TK, Liang BA. Promoting Online Drug Safety: Using Public–Private Partnerships to Deter Illicit Online Drug Sales. J Comm Biotech. 2011;17(3):266-271.

Liang BA. Global Governance: Promoting Biodiversity and Protecting Indigenous Communities Against Biopiracy. J Comm Biotech. 2011;17(3):248-253. 

Liang BA. Public-Private Partnerships in Global Health. J Comm Biotech. 2011;17(3):230-232. 

Liang BA, Boyd M. PTSD in Returning Wounded Warriors: Ensuring Medically Appropriate Evaluation and Legal Representation Through Legislative Reform. Stanford Law Pol’y Rev. 2011;22(1):177-215.

Lovett K, Liang BA. DTC cardiac screening and suspect risk evaluation. JAMA. 2011; 305(24): 2567-2568.


Minelli E, Liang BA. Transplant Candidates and Substance Use: Adopting Rational Health Policy for Resource Allocation. Univ Mich J Law Ref. 2011;44(3):667-698.

Liang BA, Mackey T. Reforming Direct-to-Consumer Advertising. Nature Biotech. 2011; 29(5):397-400.

Standley C, Liang BA. Addressing Inappropriate Care Provision at the End of Life: A Policy Proposal for Hospitals. J Med Law. 2011;15(1):137-176.

Liang, BA, Mackey T. Direct to Consumer Advertising with Interactive Internet Media: Global Regulation and Public Health Issues. JAMA. 2011; 305(8):824-825.

Liang BA et al. In Situ Simulation: Using Aviation Principles to Identify Relevant Teamwork and Systems Issues to Promote Patient Safety. Intl J Saf High Conseq Indus. 2011;1(1):53-64.

Liang BA. Supporting Pharmaceutical Diversion and Counterfeiting Prosecutions: A Role for Medical Professionals. J Biolaw Bus. 2010;13(1&2):55-57.

Liang BA. Pharmaceutical Crime: Investigating and Prosecuting Drug Diversion and Counterfeiting, J. Biolaw Bus. 2010;13(1&2):36-37.

Liang BA, Mackey T. Addressing Institutional Conflict of Interest to Promote Patient Safety. Pat Safety Qual Healthcare. 2010;7(6):36-39.

Liang BA. School-Sponsored Health Insurance: Planning for a New Reality. Planning Higher Ed. 2010;39(2):60-63.

Liang BA, Mackey T. Confronting Conflict: Addressing Institutional Conflicts of Interest in Academic Medical Centers. Am J Law Med. 2010;36(1):136-187.

Liang BA. Crisis on Campus: Student Access to Health Care. Univ Mich J Law Ref. 2010; 44(3):617-662.

Liang BA, Mackey T. Reforming Off-Label Promotion to Enhance Orphan Disease Treatment. Science. 2010; 327(5963):273-274. (subject of editorial correspondence, Liang BA, Mackey T. Consent Contraindicated? In Reply. Science. 2010;328(5974):45).

Liang BA, Seki F. Protecting the Elderly: Policy Lessons from an Analysis of the United States and Japan. Yokohama Law Rev. 2009;18(2):1-37.

Liang BA, Mackey T. Searching for Safety: Addressing Search Engine, Web site, and Provider Accountability for Illicit Online Drug Sales. Am J Law Med. 2009;35(1):125-184. (subject of editorial correspondence, Liang BA, Mackey T. Searching for Safety: A Reply to Cooperman and Levitt. Am J Law Med. 2009;35(4):687-694).

Liang BA. International Drug Production and Supply: Challenges for Biopreparedness. J Biolaw Bus. 2009;12(3):31-34.

Balcius J, Liang BA. Public Health Law & Military Medical Assets: Legal Issues in Federalizing National Guard Personnel. Ann Health Law. 2009;18:35-73.

Liang BA. Pigs, Drugs, and Terrorists. Patient Saf Qual Healthcare. 2008;5(6):10-12.

Liang BA, Lew R, Zivin J. A Review of Tissue Plasminogen Activator, Ischemic Stroke, and Potential Legal Issues. Arch Neurol. 2008;65(11):1429-1433 (subject of editorial correspondence, Liang BA, Lew R, Zivin J. Review of Tissue Plasminogen Activator, Ischemic Stroke, and Legal Issues: In Reply. Arch Neurol. 2009;66(4):541).

Riley W, Liang B, Rutherford W, Hamman W. Structure and Features of a Care Enhancement Model Implementing the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act. In: Kerm Henriksen, James B. Battles, Margaret A. Keyes, Mary L. Grady, eds., Advances in Patient Safety: New Directions and Alternative Approaches, Vol. I: Assessment. Washington, D.C.: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2008; 59-70.

Liang BA. A Dose of Reality: Promoting Access to Pharmaceuticals. Wake Forest Intell Prop Law J. 2008; 8(3):301-386.

Liang BA, Zivin J. Empirical Characteristics of Stroke and Tissue Plasminogen Activator Litigation. Ann Emerg Med. 2008;52:160-164 (an Early Release and Featured Article; subject of editorial correspondence, Liang BA, Zivin J. Litigation Regarding tPA and Stroke: In Reply. Ann Emerg Med. 2009;53(3):404-405).

Riley W, Liang BA, Hamman W, Rutherford W. The Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005: Developing an Error Reporting System to Improve Patient Safety. J Patient Saf. 2008;4(1):13-17.

Hanrahan CP, Liang BA. Promoting Public Health and Provider Response to Emergencies and Disasters. Univ Penn J Law Social Change. 2008;11:29-73.

Hogan KM, Liang BA. Inert Pesticide Ingredient Regulation: Legal and Policy Considerations. J Biolaw Bus. 2007;10(3):14-19.

Liang BA. Regulating Follow-on Biologics. Harv J Legis. 2007;44:363-471.

Liang BA. Addressing Limited English Proficiency: A Call for Action to Promote Patient Safety. J Patient Saf. 2007;3(1):3-5 (corrected version published at J Patient Saf. 2007;3(2):57-59).

Hollis A, Liang BA. An Assessment of the Effect of Authorized Generics on Consumer Prices. J Biolaw Bus. 2007;10(1):10-18.

Lin L, Liang BA. Addressing the Nursing Work Environment to Promote Patient Safety. Nurs Forum. 2007;42(1):20-30.

Liang BA, Riley W, Hamman W, Rutherford W. The Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005: Provisions and Potential. Am J Med Qual. 2007;22(1):8-12.

Liang BA. Parallel Trade in Pharmaceuticals: Injecting the Counterfeit Element into the Public’s Health. NC J Intl Law Comm Reg. 2006;31(4):847-899.

Liang BA. Elder Abuse Detection in Nursing Facilities: Using Paid Clinical Competence to Address the Nation’s Shame. J Health Law. 2006;39(4):527-550.

Liang BA. Structurally Sophisticated or Lamentably Limited? Mechanisms to Ensure Safety of the Medicine Supply. Alb Law J Sci Tech. 2006;16(3):483-524.

Liang BA. Crime, Terrorism, and Counterfeit Drugs: Addressing the International Regime. J Biolaw Bus. 2006;9(4):36-40.

Liang BA, Boudreaux AM. Lethal Injection: Policy Considerations for Medicine. J Clin Anes. 2006;18(6):466-470.

Liang BA. Fade to Black: Importation and Counterfeit Drugs. Am J Law Med. 2006;32:279-323.

Schuyler D, Liang BA. Reconceptualizing Elder Abuse: Treating the Disease of Senior Community Exclusion. Ann Health Law. 2006;15(2):275-305.

Luu AD, Liang BA. Clinical Case Management: A Strategy to Coordinate Detection, Reporting, and Prosecution of Elder Abuse. Cornell J Law Pub Pol’y. 2005;15(1):165-196.

Liang BA. Over the Virtual and Geographic Borders: Understanding Importation and Counterfeit Drugs. Cal Western Int’l Law J. 2005;36:7-18.

Liang BA. Collaborating on Patient Safety: Legal Concerns and Policy Requirements. Widener Law Rev. 2005;12:83-105.

Luu AD, Liang BA. Case Management: Lessons from Integrated Delivery to Promote Quality Care to the Elderly. J Med Law. 2005;9(2):257-277.

Lin L, Liang BA. Reforming Residency: Modernizing Resident Education and Training to Promote Quality and Safety In Health Care. J Health Law. 2005;38(2):203-246.

Liang BA, Weinger MB, Suydam S. Learning from Others: Legal Aspects of Sharing Patient Safety Data Using Provider Consortiums. J Patient Saf. 2005;1(2):83-89.

Smith L, Liang BA. Childhood Obesity: A Public Health Problem Requiring a Policy Solution. J Med Law. 2005;9(1):37-54.

Liang BA. A Policy of System Safety: Shifting the Medical and Legal Paradigms to Effectively Address Error in Medicine. Harv Health Policy Rev. 2004;5(1):6-13.