Patients press the 'record' button, making doctors squirm

Recording raises issues of trust for doctors as well as patients, especially if it's done surreptitiously. Seifi's interest in this issue began when he noticed a patient secretly recording their conversation. The message was clear, he says: "The patient doesn't trust me." Perhaps that's true. On the other hand, Elwyn says, his research has shown that doctors who agree to go on the record with advice can boost their patients' trust and strengthen their relationship. It takes confidence to grant permission, though. Even experienced, competent doctors may worry about subjecting their advice to extra scrutiny.