A plaintiff lawyer is encouraging GPs to routinely record telehealth consultations, saying it can short-circuit medicolegal proceedings by removing arguments over what transpired in a consult.

Nick Mann, from the civil law firm Polaris Lawyers, says that over the past five years, an increasing number of his clients have told him they record their medical consultation without informing the doctor.

“Sometimes it’s because of medicolegal concerns but other times, they’re just stressed about remembering and want to be able to play it back,” he said.

“So, for doctors, I think the better way forward is to flip it, and to say, with your permission I will record the consultation.