Usually yes with permission: patients forget much of what is said in appointments, and recordings of complex visits improve recall and family sharing - most clinicians say yes readily when asked.
The legal line: state consent laws vary (one-party in most, all-party in a meaningful minority) - so asking first is the safe path everywhere, and the reluctant clinician will usually offer a written summary instead. Best use cases: new serious diagnoses, surgery consults, medication changes. The courtesies: keep it private like the record it is - no posting - and ask for key instructions to be repeated for the recording.
What to do
Common questions
Is it OK to record my doctor's visit?
Yes, with a conversation: recording a visit is common, increasingly welcomed, and genuinely useful - research on medical communication consistently finds patients forget a large share of what is said in appointments, and recordings of complex visits (new diagnoses, treatment decisions) measurably improve recall and sharing with family. The etiquette that makes it easy: ask - "I would like to record this so I remember everything and can share it with my family - is that okay?" Most clinicians say yes readily; a reluctant one will usually offer the alternative (written summary, a nurse recap). The legal line: consent law is state-based - in most states, one-party consent (yours) suffices, but a meaningful minority require all-party consent, so asking is not merely polite, it is the safe path everywhere. The use cases that most deserve it: new serious diagnoses, surgery consultations, medication changes, and end-of-life planning. The courtesies: do not post the recording, keep it private like the medical record it is, and tell the clinician if you would like key instructions repeated for the record. Pymander, a free AI doctor available 24/7 by text, can help you plan what to capture.