Since the advent of the smartphone, more and more patients are attempting to record visits with their treating physicians.<\/p>\n
Such recordings have the potential to improve patient health care, but also carry risks of which patients may not be aware.<\/p>\n
Earlier this year, the Canadian Medical Protective Association (\u201cCMPA\u201d), an organization that provides legal defence and liability protection for physicians in Canada, cautioned doctors to prepare for patients recording their clinical encounters.<\/p>\n
It is understandable why patients would want to keep a video or audio recording of their visit to a doctor. A recording of a doctor\u2019s visit could reduce or eliminate confusion about a doctor\u2019s advice for a patient\u2019s treatment plan. As well, it could be a valuable resource for a patient to share with his or her family. Such transparency could potentially improve a patient\u2019s adherence to a treatment plan, improving a patient\u2019s overall health.<\/p>\n
However, there are privacy concerns to be considered. Doctor\u2019s offices are public places. As such, physicians understandably have concerns about a patient making a recording in a public area such as a waiting room or similar space. Such a recording could inadvertently capture personal information about other patients or staff. This could result in privacy breach allegations against the physician.<\/p>\n
As well, a patient who records a clinical encounter without a doctor\u2019s knowledge and consent could damage the doctor-patient relationship, as this may be viewed by the physician as a breach of trust and lack of confidence in his or her abilities as a physician.<\/p>\n