All content

Patients forget up to 80% of what is said in a consultation, and families often act on distorted second-hand accounts. This recall gap sits upstream of medication errors, missed red flags and weak informed consent. Olivier Desloges discusses how digital technology can help patients record their appointments and generate plain-language summaries they can share. The problem Patients forget between up to 80% of the information given to them in a medical consultation.[1] Roughly half of what they do remember is recalled incorrectly and, when families rely on a relative's account, the picture distorts further with each retelling. This isn't a peripheral usability issue. Patients leaving consultations unable to accurately recall or share what was discussed is a recognised patient safety issue and can lead to: Medication errors at home: wrong dose, missed timing, stopped early. Failure to act on red-flag symptoms the clinician explicitly flagged. Care decisions made by family members on the basis of second-hand accounts. Missed follow up appointments. Where it matters most The risk of recall gap can vary depending on the patient, their condition and their environment. For example: Oncology consultations: dense information, distressed patient, time-critical decisions. Older patients leaving GP or outpatient appointments with multiple medication changes and no companion. Parents leaving paediatric A&E with safety-netting instructions to remember overnight. Antenatal advice that needs to translate into action weeks later. Mental health appointments where safety planning is discussed under emotional load. The right to record your consultation Most patients don’t know this, but In the UK patients have a legal right to record their own consultations for personal use. They don't need the clinician's approval, and the right extends even to covert recordings. The British Medical Association and Medical Defence Union both acknowledge this position. However, I would always encourage patients to ask first. It's a matter of courtesy, it sets the tone of the consultation and it tends to produce a better conversation. But the underlying right is established and uncontroversial. How apps are helping patients Smartphone apps, such as Ditto, can be used by patients to record a consultation. It produces a plain-language summary the patient can read, save and share; with a partner, adult child, carer or anyone else they choose. Nothing is shared automatically and it runs under UK GDPR. Summaries can be produced in the patient's preferred language. Limitations to be aware of AI summaries aren't a substitute for the clinician's notes or a follow-up letter, although these too can be uploaded into an app to be summarised in easy language for patients. It depends on the patient having a smartphone and being comfortable using it. Not everyone will. Clinician comfort with being recorded varies. We always encourage patients to ask their clinician first. It's a matter of courtesy, trust and a better consultation overall. But the right itself is established in the UK. How clinicians and safety teams can engage Suggest it to patients facing a consultation where recall is likely to matter most. Pilot it in a service where recall failure is already known to cause harm. Tell us where you think these apps fall short: the critique will help developers ensure apps are designed for the clinician and the patient. Reference Kessels RPC. Patients' memory for medical information. J R Soc Med. 2003;96(5):219–222. About the Author Olivier Desloges is Head of Expansion at Ditto, a free app that allows patients to record their medical conversation and receive a plain text summary that they can then refer back to or share with family, a carer or another clinician. Opinions expressed in blogs and other content are those of the author. Patient Safety Learning welcomes sharing content and opinions that promotes safer patient care and for the reduction of avoidable harm. The views expressed on the hub however do not necessarily represent Patient Safety Learning's views or values. References to a specific product or service does not imply a recommendation or endorsement.

This conference focuses on patient involvement and partnership for patient safety including implementing the New National Framework for involving patients in patient safety, and the role of the Patient Safety Partner (PSP) in your organisation or service. The conference will also cover engagement of patients and families in their own safety, and patient involvement under the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework: For further information and to book your place visit https://www.healthcareconferencesuk.co.uk/virtual-online-courses/patient-involvement or email [email protected] Follow the conference on X @HCUK_Clare #PatientPSP2026 hub members receive a 20% discount. Email [email protected] for a discount code.

This conference focuses on recognising & responding to the deteriorating patient in paediatrics and ensuring best practice in the use of the National Paediatric Early Warning System. The conference will include National Developments including effective implementation of PEWS in inpatient and emergency departments, Marthas Rule in Paediatrics and will update you on the November 2025 Suspected sepsis in under 16s: recognition, diagnosis and early management. For further information and to book your place visit: https://www.healthcareconferencesuk.co.uk/virtual-online-courses/deterioration-in-paediatrics or email [email protected] hub members receive a 20% discount. Email [email protected] for a discount code.

This conference brings together leading experts at the forefront of ensuring adherence to Martha’s Rule and offers a comprehensive and practical guide for clinical staff to seamlessly integrate Martha’s Rule into their daily practice. The conference delves into the caregiver’s perspective, principles and implications of Martha’s Rule, legal and patient safety considerations, effective communication strategies, and the use of technology in the adoption of Martha’s Rule. The 2026 six core Martha’s Rule core standards will be discussed and we will explore using the core standards to self-assess and obtain assurance on Martha’s Rule implementation or identify gaps for focused improvement. For further information and to book your place visit https://www.healthcareconferencesuk.co.uk/virtual-online-courses/marthas-rule-patient-safety or email [email protected]. hub members receive a 20% discount. Email [email protected] for discount code.

Corridor care refers to the practice of providing patient care in spaces that are not designed or equipped for clinical use. Whilst patients and staff agree this is completely unacceptable a report by the APPG in 2025 stated that In a survey of Emergency Department Clinical Leads in summer 2025, almost one in five patients were being cared for in corridors. NHS England have committed to eliminating corridor care and will begin collecting data on corridor care, and will publish it, subject to data quality, each month from May 2026 on NHS England’s website. This conference focuses on improving practice in eliminating corridor care through practical solutions and action plans to eradicate the practice. This conference will enable you to: Network with colleagues who are working to eliminate Corridor Care Understand the National definition and requirements in terms of escalation and incident reporting Learn from outstanding practice in reducing corridor care Reflect on how a human factors approach can change culture and practice Develop your skills in escalation, reporting and learning from incidents of corridor care Ensuring board ownership and escalation Implement the principles for providing safe patient care in corridors when it does happen Understand how you can action plan to eradicate corridor care Identify key strategies for improving patient flow Ensure you are up to date with the latest national developments Self assess and reflect on your own practice Supports CPD professional development and acts as revalidation evidence. This course provides 5 Hrs training for CPD subject to peer group approval for revalidation purposes For further information and to book your place visit https://www.healthcareconferencesuk.co.uk/virtual-online-courses/eliminating-corridor-care or email [email protected]. hub members receive a 20% discount. Email [email protected] for discount code.