Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

Should patients be allowed to record their office visit?

David Troxel, MD
Patient
August 31, 2011
195 Shares
Share
Tweet
Share

Whether your office has wireless access or not, there will be patients texting, surfing the Internet, Facebooking, and otherwise engaging with the outside world on their smartphones while in your office.

These smartphones have another function: the ability to record audio or video. It is understandably tempting for patients to record consent discussions, medication and follow-up instructions, and other physician or staff interactions.

Recording a medical discussion via video or audio is no proxy for paying attention, however, and the practice puts you and your office at significant risk.

Video or audio recording should not be allowed in the office setting. It breaches the confidentiality rights of the other patients and infringes on the privacy rights of the physician and employees. In California, as in many other states, it’s illegal to record without prior consent.

To get a handle on patients taking smartphone recordings in your office, consider the following steps:

  • Post a sign at the reception desk, or wherever patients check in, that says: “To ensure confidentiality and privacy, any type of electronic recording is strictly prohibited at any location within these offices. Thank you for your understanding and compliance.”
  • Draw up a written policy prohibiting the use of recording devices during office visits and include the policy in patient intake handouts.
  • Keep watchful eyes out for patients potentially recording conversations. Politely request that they discontinue their recording.
  • Remind patients that they—or their caregiver—can take notes while meeting with the doctor in order to remember important information. Emphasize that the conversation will also be documented in the medical chart.

David Troxel is Chief Medical Officer of The Doctors Company.

Submit a guest post and be heard on social media’s leading physician voice

Prev

Treating fungal laryngitis in patients with asthma

August 31, 2011 Kevin 0
…
Next

Physicians need to understand subtle marketing manipulation

August 31, 2011 Kevin 6
…

Tagged as: Malpractice, Patients

Post navigation

< Previous Post
Treating fungal laryngitis in patients with asthma
Next Post >
Physicians need to understand subtle marketing manipulation

More by David Troxel, MD

  • EHRs can advance good medicine: if doctors are aware of the risks

    David Troxel, MD
  • a desk with keyboard and ipad with the kevinmd logo

    3 changes that can improve maintenance of certification

    David Troxel, MD
  • a desk with keyboard and ipad with the kevinmd logo

    Manage malpractice risks with self-diagnosed patients

    David Troxel, MD

More in Patient

  • There’s no one to drive your patient home

    Denise Reich
  • Dying is a selfish business

    Nancie Wiseman Attwater
  • A story of a good death

    Carol Ewig
  • We are warriors: doctors and patients

    Michele Luckenbaugh
  • Patient care is not a spectator sport

    Jim Sholler
  • Me is who I am

    Michele Luckenbaugh
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • I want to be a doctor who can provide care for women: What states must I rule out for my medical education?

      Nandini Erodula | Education
    • Unveiling excessive medical billing and greed

      Amol Saxena, DPM, MPH | Policy
    • I’m a doctor, and I almost died during childbirth

      Bayo Curry-Winchell, MD | Physician
    • Ethical considerations in medicine: unity and open discourse

      Andrew Zywiec, MD | Physician
    • Man’s search for meaning is spiritual, and relevant to medicine

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Physician
    • I’m tired of being a distracted doctor

      Shiv Rao, MD | Tech
  • Past 6 Months

    • Medical gaslighting: a growing challenge in today’s medical landscape

      Tami Burdick | Conditions
    • Balancing opioid medication in chronic pain

      L. Joseph Parker, MD | Conditions
    • I want to be a doctor who can provide care for women: What states must I rule out for my medical education?

      Nandini Erodula | Education
    • Navigating the broken medical system: challenges faced by foreign medical graduates

      Anonymous | Physician
    • The essence of medicine: genuine connections in practice

      Jennifer Tillman, MD | Physician
    • 1 in 4 attempt suicide: the persecution of autistic physicians

      Patricia Celan, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • I’m tired of being a distracted doctor

      Shiv Rao, MD | Tech
    • Diverse paths to financial freedom for doctors [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • AI-driven diagnostics and beyond

      Michael Kirsch, MD | Tech
    • Applying the differential diagnosis method to investing

      Amarish Dave, DO | Finance
    • Pediatricians grapple with guns in America, from Band-Aids to bullets

      Tasia Isbell, MD, MPH | Policy
    • 13.1 million missing Americans since 1980. Where’s the outrage?

      Steve Burgess, MD | Meds

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

View 12 Comments >

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

CME Spotlights

From MedPage Today

Latest News

  • PA's Murder Trial; Doc's Manslaughter Charge; Cardiologist's Kickback Settlement
  • Suppressing Unwanted Thoughts; Choking on Cheese; Diet and Depression
  • FDA Advisors Grapple With Logistical, Ethical Issues of Artificial Womb Technology
  • Reassuring Registry Data on Going Into TAVR Sans Symptoms
  • Inhaled Glucocorticoid Flops for Speeding COVID Recovery in Outpatients

Meeting Coverage

  • Stopping Medical Misinformation Requires Early Detection
  • AI Has an Image Problem in Healthcare, Expert Says
  • Want Better Health Outcomes? Check Out What Other Countries Do
  • ERS Roundup: Cell Transplant Boosts Lung Function in COPD Patients
  • Benralizumab Allows Inhaled Corticosteroid Taper for Asthma Patients
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • I want to be a doctor who can provide care for women: What states must I rule out for my medical education?

      Nandini Erodula | Education
    • Unveiling excessive medical billing and greed

      Amol Saxena, DPM, MPH | Policy
    • I’m a doctor, and I almost died during childbirth

      Bayo Curry-Winchell, MD | Physician
    • Ethical considerations in medicine: unity and open discourse

      Andrew Zywiec, MD | Physician
    • Man’s search for meaning is spiritual, and relevant to medicine

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Physician
    • I’m tired of being a distracted doctor

      Shiv Rao, MD | Tech
  • Past 6 Months

    • Medical gaslighting: a growing challenge in today’s medical landscape

      Tami Burdick | Conditions
    • Balancing opioid medication in chronic pain

      L. Joseph Parker, MD | Conditions
    • I want to be a doctor who can provide care for women: What states must I rule out for my medical education?

      Nandini Erodula | Education
    • Navigating the broken medical system: challenges faced by foreign medical graduates

      Anonymous | Physician
    • The essence of medicine: genuine connections in practice

      Jennifer Tillman, MD | Physician
    • 1 in 4 attempt suicide: the persecution of autistic physicians

      Patricia Celan, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • I’m tired of being a distracted doctor

      Shiv Rao, MD | Tech
    • Diverse paths to financial freedom for doctors [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • AI-driven diagnostics and beyond

      Michael Kirsch, MD | Tech
    • Applying the differential diagnosis method to investing

      Amarish Dave, DO | Finance
    • Pediatricians grapple with guns in America, from Band-Aids to bullets

      Tasia Isbell, MD, MPH | Policy
    • 13.1 million missing Americans since 1980. Where’s the outrage?

      Steve Burgess, MD | Meds

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Should patients be allowed to record their office visit?
12 comments

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...