What a family companion can do in the consultation: joining, interpreting and recording
Whether a companion can join the room, interpret, or record mainly depends on the clinic or hospital's rules, the consultation setting, and whether the patient consents to the care team sharing their condition with family. To sit in or to record, it is best to raise it when booking or at the start of the visit and ask the treating doctor first; for interpreting, ask whether the hospital provides an interpreter service.
Can a companion go in to see the doctor together?
Whether you can join the room depends on the clinic or hospital's rules and the consultation setting, and on whether the patient agrees to the care team telling family about their condition — a doctor owes a duty of confidentiality for the patient's information (Medical Council of Hong Kong, Code of Professional Conduct). Safest is to say at booking, or at the very start of the visit, that you want a family member to sit in, and let the care team arrange it.
The patient doesn't speak English — can a companion interpret? Does the hospital have an interpreter?
A companion can interpret for the patient; if you want the hospital to arrange an interpreter, ask the clinic or hospital whether an interpreter service is available and how to book it. Interpreter arrangements differ by institution, so it is most practical to ask when booking.
Can I record the doctor's explanation to replay at home?
To record, it is best to ask the treating doctor first — whether it is allowed depends on the doctor and the institution's rules, and some institutions have their own rules on recording or photography on the premises. Recording is to help you and your family review it later, and should also respect the privacy of staff and other patients; asking first is usually better than simply recording.
If the patient has cognitive impairment or cannot express themselves clearly, what can family do?
Family can help with communication, note down what the doctor says, and keep track of follow-up and medication. To obtain reports or records on the patient's behalf, a data access request under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance generally needs the patient's authorisation (Privacy Commissioner FAQ, June 2016); collecting reports and what to bring is in preparing for a first doctor's visit.
To help the patient think through what to ask in advance, use the checklist in what to ask your cancer doctor to pick a few key questions.
Frequently asked questions
The patient doesn't speak English — can I go in and interpret?
You can interpret; whether you can join the room depends on the clinic or hospital's rules and the patient's consent to sharing. To have the hospital arrange an interpreter, ask the institution whether a service is available and how to book it.
Can I record during the visit to replay at home?
It is best to ask the treating doctor first; whether it is allowed depends on the doctor and institution's rules, and some institutions have their own rules on recording on the premises. Asking first is usually better than simply recording.