How to Remember What Your Doctor Said: Why We Built PatientScribe

You walk out of the doctor's clinic, and within minutes the details start to blur. What was that medication called? Was it twice a day or three times? What exactly did they say about the test results?

If this sounds familiar, you're far from alone.

Most of us forget what our doctor said

Research consistently shows that patients struggle to recall medical information after a consultation. In one study, participants recalled only about 40% of what they were told — and nearly half of what they thought they remembered was actually incorrect [1]. A more recent study found that when patients were asked to recall medical decisions and recommendations a week later, 15% were wrong or not recalled at all, with recall dropping as the number of items increased [2].

This isn't a failure of attention or intelligence. Medical consultations ask a lot of us: unfamiliar terminology, complex information, emotional weight, and limited time. Anxiety — even the low-level kind most of us feel at a medical appointment — is associated with reduced working memory capacity, making it harder to process and retain new information [3]. And most of us don't take notes. It feels awkward, and it's hard to write and listen at the same time.

The result is that the most important conversations about our health are the ones we're least equipped to remember.

What if you could get a clear summary of every appointment?

Imagine walking out of your doctor's clinic with a plain-language summary of everything that was discussed — the key points, the medication changes, the next steps — written in words you actually understand. Not a raw audio file you'll never listen back to, but a clear, readable recap you can review at home or share with a family member.

That's what becomes possible when you combine a consultation recording with AI that can transcribe and summarise medical conversations. You don't have to choose between listening and remembering — you can be fully present, ask questions, and process what you're hearing, knowing a clear summary will be waiting for you afterwards.

For carers managing a parent's appointments, a summary means you know exactly what was discussed, not a second-hand account. For anyone dealing with a complex or ongoing condition, it means no more guessing about doses, timelines, or next steps.

In Australia, a recent survey found that 26% of patients have already recorded a healthcare consultation, and 71% would consider doing so [4]. The interest is there — what's been missing is a simple tool designed specifically for this.

Most clinicians are supportive too, though it varies by setting. A survey of US oncologists found 75% were comfortable with recording and 85% always agreed when asked [5]. Acceptance is growing, and the key is transparency — letting your doctor know before you press record.

And the evidence suggests it works. In a randomised trial, patients who received an audio recording of their consultation were more likely to feel their information needs had been met — especially around test results and treatment options — and reported greater satisfaction with their care [6]. Another study found that patients who received consultation recordings had significantly lower decision regret 12 months after prostate cancer treatment [7].

These studies looked at audio recordings rather than AI-generated summaries, but the principle is the same: having something to refer back to helps. A plain-language summary may be even more practical — you can review the key points in a couple of minutes without listening back to an entire consultation.

How PatientScribe works

PatientScribe is a simple app that lets you record your medical consultations and get a clear, plain-language summary of what was discussed.

1. Record with one tap — let your doctor know you'd like to record, press the button, and put your phone down.
2. Get a summary — AI transcribes the conversation and creates a plain-language summary with key points, action items, and next steps.
3. Review and share — read back the details at your own pace. Share with family members or carers who couldn't be there.

The app is designed around consent and transparency — it reminds you to ask your doctor before recording, and sits quietly in the background. Your audio is securely processed on Australian servers to create a transcript and plain-language summary, then deleted from our servers once you save or discard. Your summary and transcript stay on your iPhone, protected by your device's security. No accounts, no complicated setup. You can read more about how we handle your data in our Privacy Policy.

One important note: AI-generated summaries are a helpful reference, but they can contain errors and aren't a substitute for medical advice. Always confirm important details — like medication doses or follow-up steps — with your clinician.

Built by patients and clinicians, for patients and clinicians

AI-powered scribes are increasingly being used in clinical practice — helping doctors capture consultations accurately and spend less time on paperwork. We saw this happening and asked a simple question: if this technology can help clinicians, why shouldn't patients benefit from it too?

That's why we built PatientScribe. We've experienced this problem from both sides — as patients sitting in waiting rooms and as clinicians watching important information get lost after the consultation ends. We believe everyone deserves to leave an appointment feeling confident about their care.

Designed and built in Australia, with Australian patients and the Australian healthcare system in mind.