On-topic interesting article: Should Patients Be Allowed to Record Doctors?

I have encouraged fellow travelers to bring someone close to them to important doctor meetings who can help listen and take notes. I've done that once or twice myself in the past, but mostly I take my own notes sitting in my car outside the doctor's office (or sometimes sitting in the lobby before leaving) after my appointment while the information is "fresh." I take notes in the notepad of my phone, always adding to my previous note(s) on the topic so that I have it with me for review at any time up until and after my next visit.

I've seen (here) some members suggesting to others that they "record" audio of the meeting with their doctor. Personally, I never thought this was a good idea. And, the important part I thought they often left out of their suggestion was that they should first request permission to record the meeting...failing to do so is illegal in some states.

This article presents several perspectives, both pro and con, to the notion of recording doctor meetings, including some points I hadn't considered. I think that the important point remains to be up-front about it, and always ask permission first...

MedPage Today article: Should Patients Be Allowed to Record Doctors?

Post Edited (NKinney) : 12/4/2017 9:33:37 AM (GMT-7)

On a purely human relations, good manners level I would never do it without first asking permission. On a legal level I wouldn't do it in my home state of Massachusetts because it would be illegal. My wife and I and a small staff spent about a decade researching and writing newsletters -- before the internet made subscription newsletters an anachronism. We all had tape recorders in our brief cases and had recorders wired to our telephones but would always -- always ask permission before turning on a recorder and then as the first thing on the recording would ask again and record the granted permission.

I bring my wife with me for important medical appointments. She keeps track of questions we'd planned to ask, takes notes (e.g., names of a drug, or doctor, or paper that comes up in the course of the meeting), and asks follow-up questions etc. There's nothing equal to an extra set of eyes and ears and a second inquiring mind when you are in a tight spot.
Jim

MNSHO:

Yes, we should be able to record our MD visits.

NKinney:

I almost agree it should be that way.

An honest doctor shouldn't have a problem with the appt being recorded.

Maybe they should both record it, that way if the two copies don't match, someone is in the wrong.

Post Edited (alephnull) : 12/6/2017 11:24:04 AM (GMT-7)