Recording a Doctor's visit?

[Jessie_Pinkman]

Should a patient be allowed to voice record a Doctor's visit?

In the open, not secretly.

 

[about_average]

Why not?

 

[BabblingBrooke]

In the open? Absolutely. I sometimes wish I had so I could remember verbal instructions better.

 

[Jessie_Pinkman]

I thought so, too, but my brother disagreed (my Dad's very forgetful- I want him to record his Doctor visits for us to better help him).

So I Googled it, found this, which concludes:

But most commenters agreed with the rheumatologist who wrote, "The patient/doctor relationship is based on mutual trust. Once this trust is broken, then there is no point in pretending to continue this relationship (ie, the patient needs to find another doctor). Taping and recording is intrusive, disruptive, and directly threatening to the relationship."

 

[pointless]

oddly, this thread reminded me of that fact that i keep forgetting to watch doctor who, so thanks for that.

 

[about_average]

I thought so, too, but my brother disagreed (my Dad's very forgetful- I want him to record his Doctor visits for us to better help him).

So I Googled it, found this, which concludes:

Well, I suppose you could take very detailed notes, periodically asking the doctor to wait a minute while you catch up.
That wouldn't be disruptive I'm sure.

Also, was the survey, or whatever it was, answered by doctors or the general public?

 

[pointless]

it actually makes sense that doctors wouldn't like being recorded what with fears of malpractice suits and what not. that insurance doesn't come cheap, man. the last thing you'd want is some douche suing you because you misspoke about the odds or whatever. basically, it's just a covering their own ass kind of thing.

 

[Not Normal]

I guess you would have to have doctor's permission. I also assume his malpractice insurance carrier would frown on the practice.

 

[BabblingBrooke]

I thought so, too, but my brother disagreed (my Dad's very forgetful- I want him to record his Doctor visits for us to better help him).

So I Googled it, found this, which concludes:

But, if you asked the physician, perhaps he/she would say yes?

Although, those suggesting that this raises a concern regarding malpractice make a great point. I still think it's worth asking.

 

[haha_on_me]

I would say yes, and I'm sure my doctor wouldn't have a problem with it either. My doctor is affiliated with our local hospital, and they have a APP that lists all my meds, conditions, instructions, appointments, and whatnot. I can see all my vitals from the beginning, when I started going to this doctor. I think they all need that in this day and age.

 

[Jessie_Pinkman]

Well, I suppose you could take very detailed notes, periodically asking the doctor to wait a minute while you catch up.
That wouldn't be disruptive I'm sure.

Also, was the survey, or whatever it was, answered by doctors or the general public?

If I could be there, I would, but he is out of state. Dad won't take notes- part of his problem is his denial he has memory issues.

The article refers to interviews with multiple doctors.

ex:
"Why not ask the patient to go elsewhere and rid yourself of a potentially litigious patient?" an orthopedic surgeon wanted to know.

 

[Oh_That_Guy]

I don't blame doctors for not wanting things recorded. I wouldn't either. It's a malpractice suit waiting to happen.
I am not in the medical profession but many members of my family are and have been and something they all say is that you never, ever say something like "it's going to be allright" or "he's going to pull through" or anything like that. Even if you know it absolutely to be true, something could happen and then you're in a position to get the poop sued out of you.

 

[silver gurl]

Become Power of Attorney. That allows me to speak with my Mother's doctors and get all the information that is needed.

 

[chillywilly2]

Doctors don't sit there and tell you that you are going to pull through when you're not.

If a Doctor is worried about malpractice because you tape what he says then he better start telling the truth.

 

[doowdniw]

I also assume his malpractice insurance carrier would frown on the practice.

Only if he's committing malpractice. A recorded conversation could also help to defend against false charges.

 

[La damnee elle la licorne]

 

[Colonel Hogan]

I would say yes, and I'm sure my doctor wouldn't have a problem with it either. My doctor is affiliated with our local hospital, and they have a APP that lists all my meds, conditions, instructions, appointments, and whatnot. I can see all my vitals from the beginning, when I started going to this doctor. I think they all need that in this day and age.

Almost any reputable physician in this day and age will provide a detailed, written list of instructions for home care to any patient. And where doctors used to simply say, "all of your lab work looks good," I now get a copy of the full lab report listing the desired numerical ranges (and the actual values my body produced) of a variety of metabolic and chemical analyses I can't begin to understand. But it is still comforting to see a range and know that you are in the acceptable portion of it.

Given that the doctors own notes and prescribed medications are obviously part of your medical record subject to discovery at a malpractice trial, there is no good reason not to share that information with a patient. That may not be in the form of an audio tape recording, but there is nothing about an audio tape recording that is superior to the written record UNLESS the verbal orders are contradictory to that record.

Assuming that is NOT the case, a physicians refusal to submit to tape recording during an examination is a non-issue.