Receiving a new diagnosis or unexpected medical news can be overwhelming. When emotions are running high, it can be difficult to remember every detail of a conversation with a healthcare provider. By the time you get home and try to explain what happened to a family member, or friend, important information may be hard to recall.
That’s why the Carolyn J. Oliver, MD Center for Patient Safety and Quality Healthcare (the Oliver Center) at UTMB Health encourages patients to consider audio recording important healthcare conversations. Having a recording allows patients and their loved ones to revisit the discussion later, helping ensure they fully understand diagnoses, treatment options, follow-up instructions, and next steps.
Why audio recording works: The clinical perspective
According to Meredith C. Masel, PhD, director of the Oliver Center, the initiative originally grew out of oncology clinics, where high-stress discussions can make it especially difficult for patients to absorb complex medical information.
“When patients face complex health decisions, second-guessing whether they understood the doctor correctly can create immense anxiety,” notes Meredith Masel. “Having the actual conversation on record drastically reduces ‘post-decision regret’ because patients can verify the reasoning behind their care plan at any time.”
Brent E. Masel, MD, a neurologist and professor of Neurology at UTMB, emphasized how valuable this tool is when processing medical advice or navigating conditions that affect memory and recall.
“When a patient has to explain a complex diagnosis to multiple family members, critical details inevitably get lost or misconstrued,” he said. “Playing the recording allows the whole family to hear my exact words, tone, and nuance directly, which keeps everyone on the same page.”
Key benefits throughout your health journey
- Greater clarity during important conversations: Revisit explanations of test results, imaging studies, diagnoses, and treatment recommendations when you are ready to process the information at your own pace.
- Less pressure to remember every detail: Share therecording with family members or loved ones so they can hear the information directly from your healthcare provider, reducing the risk of misunderstandings.
- Seamless care transitions: Clear audio documentation provides an unaltered record for secondary care providers, physical therapists, and home health aides, ensuring seamless continuity of care beyond the clinic walls.
‘A total game changer’: A patient’s perspective
For UTMB Health patient Tonka Lane, 75, recording her clinic appointments turned out to be an invaluable tool for managing her care.
“I am not aging as well as I thought I would,” Lane said. “In fact, all of my friends in my age bracket are dealing with many of the same medical issues: hip and knee replacements, diabetes, heart and vision issues, Parkinson’s, and dementia. Even the best educated of us are not able to keep up with current medical information. I go to my doctor's visit with written questions and am lucky if I remember half of the answers.”
At the recommendation of her primary care clinician, Barbara Thompson, MD, Tonka began recording her office visits. Being able to listen back to the entire conversation at home helped her better understand and manage her care plan.
“Having my visit recorded was an incredible asset in helping me take charge of my health and assume responsibility for my care,” Lane said. “Being able to hear in detail your entire doctor visit is beyond valuable. Everyone, regardless of age, would benefit from this program, but most assuredly seniors.”
How to record your next visit (it’s easy!)
Recording your appointment can be as simple as using the smartphone you already carry. Here’s how to get started at your next UTMB Health visit:
- Ask your provider first: Under Texas law, patients generally have the right to record their own medical appointments for personal use. However, asking your provider helps set up a collaborative and comfortable environment.
- Use your built-in voice recorder: Both iPhone (Voice Memos) and Android devices come with free, preinstalled, easy-to-use recording apps.
- Record a summary instead: If you or your clinician prefer not to record the entire visit, ask your clinician to summarize the key points while you are still together and record this instead at the conclusion of your visit.
Want to learn more? Explore free patient checklists and resources at the UTMB Oliver Center Homepage.