I've been reading through the discussions around treatment options on other posts and realise how important it is to fully understand complex medical information such as PI-RADS, Gleason Scores, TNM grades, CPG etc. It worries me that I might not fully grasp the details of my treatment options unless I can recall, word for word, what's discussed during my biopsy results appointment.
I think taking notes, as some people do, could disrupt the flow of conversation, and anyway my handwriting is hardly legible at the best of times, not to mention my forgetfulness.
I was hoping to hear about more positive experiences around recording consultations. It seems like it could be valuable for both patients and healthcare professionals. Patients can make more informed decisions, and consultants and specialist nurses can ensure that their patients have the necessary information. I suppose the fear of litigation can undermine trust, however, the BMA guidance sent by Adrianus states that most recordings “actually support the actions of Doctors” and it advises that requests for recording are responded to positively.
This has led me to now consider covert recording of the consultation. While I could ask for consent, I worry that the request itself might raise suspicion and spoil any ongoing relationship. The BMA guidelines says that covert recording is not illegal, provided you don't publish the recording.
Morally, it's a grey area, but being able to say I respected the wishes of the medical staff who refused recording, when I end up not fully understanding or remembering the information given won't be much use to me if I make a bad decision or if I'm not confident with my decision-making. Ultimately, my health and possibly my life is at stake, and having accurate information is crucial to making informed choices.
I wonder what people think about covertly recording the appointment?