Do you mind if I record?: Perceptions and practice regarding patient requests to record clinic visits in oncology

Abstract

Background Audio recordings of oncology clinic discussions can help patients retain and understand information about their disease and treatment decisions. Access to this tool relies on acceptance of recordings by oncologists. This is the first study to evaluate experience and attitudes of oncologists toward patients recording clinic visits. Methods Medical, radiation, and surgical oncologists from 5 US cancer centers and community affiliates were surveyed to evaluate clinicians' experience, beliefs, and practices regarding patient‐initiated recordings. Results Among 360 oncologists (69% response rate), virtually all (93%) have experienced patients seeking to record visits. Although 75% are comfortable with recording, 25% are uncomfortable and 56% report concerns ranging from less thorough discussions to legal liability. Most (85%) always agree when patients ask to record, but 15% never or selectively allow recording. Although 51% believe recording is positive for the patient‐physician relationship, a sizable minority report that it can lead to less detailed conversations (28%) or avoidance of difficult topics, including prognosis (33%). Views did not vary based on subspecialty, practice setting, or geographic region, but older age and years in practice were associated with more positive views of recording. The majority of clinicians (72%) desire institutional policies to govern guidelines about recordings. Conclusions Most oncologists are comfortable with patient requests to record visits, but a sizable minority remain uncomfortable, and access to recording varies solely on physician preference. This difference in care delivery may benefit from institutional policies that promote access while addressing legitimate physician concerns over privacy and appropriate use of recordings.

Smartphone standoff: a qualitative study exploring clinician responses when a patient uses a smartphone to record a hospital clinical encounter

“…Six key themes were identified in this study, which enhance current understandings of clinicians’ attitudes and behaviours when a patient records a clinical encounter in hospital. In keeping with previous studies,2 4 11 our study found that most participants had experienced a patient-led recording. Our findings also showed that patient-led recordings are occurring in many types of clinical encounters outside of the clinical discussion.…”

“…Clinicians are increasingly working under a critical public lens and the healthcare sector is exposed, resulting in an imperative to develop policies and practices that meet patient needs, while protecting the interests of clinicians and the health service 2–10. Previous studies have shown that up to 93% (n=37–360) of doctors2 4 11 and 47% of nurses (n=92–119) had experienced a patient-led recording 2 4. There is a substantial body of research that investigates the provision of audio recordings of clinical discussions to patients 12–14.…”

“…Improving recall is of significant value, as patients may forget up to 80% of medical advice due to anxiety or cognitive deficits, impacting health outcomes 25. Despite these benefits, clinicians report concerns relating to medico-legal issues, including privacy: confidentiality, potential uses of the recordings and challenges relating to consent 2 4–6 11. Research on patient-led recordings has been mainly focused on physicians and nursing2 4 6 11 and centred in oncology 4 11.…”

“…Despite these benefits, clinicians report concerns relating to medico-legal issues, including privacy: confidentiality, potential uses of the recordings and challenges relating to consent 2 4–6 11. Research on patient-led recordings has been mainly focused on physicians and nursing2 4 6 11 and centred in oncology 4 11. Previous research has also been limited to specific clinical contexts, such as medical procedures or discussions with physicians 2–4 6 11.…”

“…Research on patient-led recordings has been mainly focused on physicians and nursing2 4 6 11 and centred in oncology 4 11. Previous research has also been limited to specific clinical contexts, such as medical procedures or discussions with physicians 2–4 6 11. There is less evidence regarding the perspectives of allied health professionals, experiences within a multiclinician setting and responses of clinicians when a patient records an encounter other than a clinical discussion.…”