Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2023

How often are patients recording their medical appointments and why? A national online mixed-methods survey in Australia (#359)

Megan Prictor 1 2 , Amelia Hyatt 3 4
  1. Centre for Digital Transformation of Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  2. Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  3. Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  4. Health Services Research and Implementation Science, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Aims:

The recording of medical appointments is common worldwide, with both patients and health professionals reporting key benefits including improved knowledge, understanding, engagement, satisfaction with care, and care quality. However, in Australia there is a current lack of data regarding current consultation recording activity. This study therefore aimed to capture data regarding consultation audio-recording practices in Australia, including covert recordings, reasons for making, using and sharing recordings (including via social media), and perspectives regarding implementation of consultation recording as part of routine care.

Methods:

A mixed-methods online national survey was developed comprising 21 quantitative and qualitative (open text) items to explore project aims. The survey was open from 11 May to 31 August 2022. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, and qualitative data analysed using content analysis.

Results:

A total of 236 responses were included for analysis. Of these, 26% (n=61) reported having previously recorded a medical appointment with permission, and a further 22% (n=51) had or knew someone who had made a recording secretly. Importantly, participants outlined novel use of recordings such as to improve understanding for consent for medical procedures or clinical trials, or to overcome access barriers associated with disability. Participants overwhelmingly were against sharing recordings on social media, stating this to be a breach of trust and privacy. The majority 63% (n=122) of participants would consider recording a future visit and 56% (n=128) wanted their clinic to facilitate this service. Notably, questions about recording and the law were common.

Conclusions:

The results of this survey highlighted the breadth and scope of current consultation recording use in Australia, while also emphasizing increased patient demand for recording to become part of standard care. Results also demonstrated the potential for consultation recording to reduce inequity in care, and reduce or remove existing access barriers. More research will be needed to support clinics implement consultation recording as part of standard care.