Topf Cheyenne, Buzo Marina, Hahlweg Pola, Scholl Isabelle
Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
BMC Med Educ. 2025 Jun 19;25(1):853. doi: 10.1186/s12909-025-07460-9.
Medical encounters often involve complex information that can be challenging to process, especially in emotionally charged situations. Providing patients with audio recordings of their medical encounters, termed consultation recordings, has shown promising benefits such as improved information recall and understanding. In prior research, patients largely reported favorable attitudes toward consultation recordings; physicians were more skeptical, particularly regarding legal risks. To date, consultation recordings are rare in Germany. This study aimed at understanding medical students' attitudes toward consultation recordings, as they are the healthcare professionals of the future and could therewith play a crucial role in further implementation efforts.
We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional quantitative online survey with medical students in Germany, assessing attitudes toward and desire for future consultation recordings. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Two hundred twenty-two participants were included. 56% of participants expressed positive attitudes toward consultation recordings, acknowledging benefits such as information recall and preparation for follow-up consultations. However, they also expressed significant concerns about potential misuse, legal implications, and physicians feeling pressured. About 16% of participants expressed a clear willingness to offer consultation recordings in the future, while 44% were hesitant.
Our findings that medical students recognize potential benefits of consultation recordings, while simultaneously expressing concerns about this intervention, are comparable to results from studies conducted in physician samples. Medical students' limited clinical experience and the low prevalence of consultation recordings in Germany likely contribute to these apprehensions. These mixed attitudes could be addressed by providing opportunities for positive experiences with consultation recordings during medical and postgraduate education as well as in clinical practice. Providing role models who support patient-centered care could also foster greater acceptance. Future research should focus on the integration of patient-centered interventions such as consultation recordings in the medical curricula. Overall, consultation recordings have the potential to become a valuable tool in routine healthcare if current barriers are effectively addressed.
医疗问诊常常涉及复杂信息，处理起来颇具挑战性，尤其是在情绪激动的情况下。为患者提供其医疗问诊的录音，即会诊录音，已显示出一些有前景的益处，如改善信息回忆和理解。在先前的研究中，患者大多对会诊录音持积极态度；医生则更为怀疑，尤其是在法律风险方面。迄今为止，会诊录音在德国很少见。本研究旨在了解医学生对会诊录音的态度，因为他们是未来的医疗保健专业人员，可能在进一步的实施工作中发挥关键作用。
我们对德国的医学生进行了一项全国性的横断面定量在线调查，评估他们对未来会诊录音的态度和需求。使用描述性统计方法对数据进行分析。
纳入了222名参与者。56%的参与者对会诊录音表达了积极态度，认可其在信息回忆和后续会诊准备等方面的益处。然而，他们也对潜在的滥用、法律影响以及医生感到压力等问题表达了重大担忧。约16%的参与者明确表示愿意在未来提供会诊录音，而44%的人则犹豫不决。
我们的研究结果表明，医学生认识到会诊录音的潜在益处，同时对这种干预措施表示担忧，这与在医生样本中进行的研究结果相当。医学生有限的临床经验以及德国会诊录音的低普及率可能导致了这些担忧。通过在医学和研究生教育以及临床实践中提供体验会诊录音积极效果的机会，可以解决这些复杂的态度问题。提供支持以患者为中心的护理的榜样也可以促进更大程度的接受。未来的研究应侧重于将以患者为中心的干预措施，如会诊录音，纳入医学课程。总体而言，如果当前的障碍得到有效解决，会诊录音有可能成为常规医疗保健中的一项有价值的工具。
