Doctor appointments can be overwhelming. When you’re sick, it’s difficult to understand everything your doctor is saying. When you’re chronically ill, it’s even harder. Recently, I came across an article discussing pros and cons of recording doctor’s visits.

It’s clear that a recorder could be a powerful tool for doctor-patient communication. A patient might want to record their appointment if:

• They have trouble understanding English or medical jargon
• They have trouble hearing
• They have trouble keeping handwritten notes
• They want to have a record of what the doctor says to share with family, other doctors, or lawyers (duh-duh-duh)

These are terrific reasons to use technology. By using a recorder, a patient would be able to get the exact phrasing the doctor uses. You would be able to listen to the doctor’s advice and instructions over and over again. An audio recording would be useful to fill in the gaps in your memory or in your handwritten notes.

With fancy software, you could speed up the recording for a quick review. Or, you could slow down the recording so you can take in every word.

Still, all technology comes with a dark side. Recording your appointments can have a drastic effect on the doctor-patient relationship.

In my 24 year relationship with the medical community, I have learned that doctors are sued often. We live in America – The land of the blame!  I have also seen that doctors feel each lawsuit to their core.

Going through a legal battle is difficult. It’s difficult if you purposely committed malpractice. It’s difficult if you made a medical mistake. It’s difficult if you are innocent.

In this country, we can sue anyone we want – even if they haven’t done anything wrong. Even if a doctor has an immaculate patient care record, a lawsuit will damage her personally and professionally.

Even if your doctor believes she is doing everything to help you, she will be afraid of a potential lawsuit. Even if she believes she could not make a mistake, the remote possibility of a lawsuit will shake her. Subconsciously, she will feel the weight of that possibility.

When you ask your doctor to record your session, you may receive a different kind of care.  You doctor may subconsciously err on the side of aggressive treatment. Then you will know she’s doing everything she can to treat you. Or she may err on the conservative side. If she starts a treatment or procedure, it might have side effects you didn’t expect.

You may think the solution is to record your doctor without her knowledge. You may think that if she doesn’t know, she won’t feel uncomfortable or alter her treatment.

Don’t record your doctor without telling her first.

Recording someone without their knowledge breaches their trust. When you know that you are deceiving your doctor, you will be less likely to trust her. When the trust between doctor and patient erodes, communication becomes impossible.

If you speak English as a second language, recording might be just what you need. Also make sure you ask for an interpreter. Even if one is not available in person, your doctor can get you one by phone.

If you are hard of hearing, ask your doctor if you can record your sessions so you can replay them at home.

If you have great difficulty understanding your doctor, a recorder can help you take control of your health care. Ask her permission and record away!

Recording your doctor will not improve your doctor’s care. Recording your doctor will not teach her a lesson. Suing your doctor will not make you healthy.

Your health is your responsibility.