An appointment recording refers to an audio or video recording of a patient’s consultation with a healthcare provider. When you connect to the doctor via video telehealth, you might hear a notification stating “NOW RECORDING.” This is to inform you that the appointment is being recorded for specific purposes, including:
- Transcription: The recordings are used to create written transcripts of the appointment. Transcription is completed within 24 hours, after which the recording is permanently deleted from our systems.
- Record-keeping: The recording transcript provides an accurate and detailed account of the entire consultation, ensuring nothing is missed. This can be especially helpful for tracking treatment plans, advice, or medication instructions. It also ensures that we have a precise record for any follow-up care or references to previous consultations.
- Legal protection: Recording transcripts may serve as valuable documentation in case of disputes or misunderstandings about what was said or recommended during the appointment, providing clarity for both the clinic and the patient.
In our clinic, appointment recordings are handled with the utmost care to protect patient privacy. We comply fully with the Privacy Act, ensuring that all sensitive information is managed in accordance with legal requirements. Importantly, appointment recordings are never shared with third parties. They are kept only for 24 hours, during which time they are used solely for transcription purposes. After the transcription is completed, the recordings are permanently deleted from our servers to further ensure the confidentiality and security of patient data.