Use of audiotapes for patient education, medical record documentation, andinformed consent in lower extremity reconstruction

Since 1992, the authors have audiotaped each new patient visit and provided a copy of that tape to the patient. In addition, an office copy of the ent ire patient interaction is maintained in an office file. One hundred twelve patients seen over a 6-month period participated in a survey measuring the ir satisfaction with this procedure, and six attorneys were surveyed after listening to a representative tape. Ninety percent of patients had positive comments about receiving the tape. Seventy percent played the tape for oth ers, most commonly their spouses. The attorneys concluded the patient was w ell served by this process, and there were no increased malpractice issues or exposure. The cost of providing patients with the tapes is minimal, and the high level of patient satisfaction and increased understanding offer a considerable benefit to patients and office staff.