Doctors Often Reluctant to Permit Videotaping.

• Position: Of childbirth - Brief Article

Many obstetricians and family physicians are hesitant to allow patients to videotape obstetric procedures, such as childbirth, because of legal concerns. Jerome Yankowitz, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, indicates that anxiety over lawsuits accounts for much of their reluctance. "What many of these practitioners are concerned about is a family using these tapes to mount a malpractice lawsuit. They may be used to bolster an existing lawsuit, or the families may view them after they return home, become shocked, and decide to sue. They may not appreciate that the delivery of a baby involves a lot of anxiety, blood, and messiness, and they may perceive that something they see on the tape is a mistake."

The researchers interviewed 601 doctors and found many were reluctant to allow taping. However, differences existed among obstetricians and family physicians. More than 40% of obstetricians (OBs) reported having prevented patients from filming medical procedures such as births, compared to 19% of family physicians (FPs). Over 34% of OBs and 25% of FPs said they would modify their actions and conversation when video cameras were present. In addition, 35% of OBs and 14% of FPs indicated they would have the camera turned off if complications arose.

The differences between the two types of practitioners may be due to the types of patients each sees, Yankowitz suggests. "Obstetricians tend to deliver a larger number of babies and more babies that are high-risk. One hypothesis is that family doctors are used to less risk and normal outcomes in the pregnancies they deliver. They are not thinking of the problems that could arise and be seen on video, so they are less likely to control the...