Patients recording their clinical consultations: A new challenge for medical ethics

摘要

Patients can and do record their consultations in general practice. Data suggests that 19 of doctors have reported being recorded, with 40 of these being unaware at the time. Due to rapid advancements in technology in recent years, over three quarters of patients that attend clinical consultations have the ability to take audio or video recordings using internet-connected smartphones. This paper will look at the individual rights of both the doctor and the patient with regard to recording clinical consultations, assess the advantages and disadvantages that can result and ask whether the future of the doctor-patient relationship is threatened by this modern behaviour.