A physician (or other provider) who is asked permission---or who discovers a covert attempt---to record a patient encounter has to recognize that moment as an opportunity to build trust. A terse "heat of the moment" response is unlikely to accomplish that. Rather, taking a minute to understand what the patient (or family member) needs via recording may help both parties address underlying issues (e.g., hearing problems, difficulty remembering instructions, information needed for a subsequent specialty visit). Better trust leads to better interactions--whether or not they are recorded.
Competing interests:
No competing interests
12 January 2015
Jock Hoffman
Patient Safety
Risk Management Foundation of the Harvard Medical Institutions
Rapid Response:
A physician (or other provider) who is asked permission---or who discovers a covert attempt---to record a patient encounter has to recognize that moment as an opportunity to build trust. A terse "heat of the moment" response is unlikely to accomplish that. Rather, taking a minute to understand what the patient (or family member) needs via recording may help both parties address underlying issues (e.g., hearing problems, difficulty remembering instructions, information needed for a subsequent specialty visit). Better trust leads to better interactions--whether or not they are recorded.
Competing interests: No competing interests