26/08/2026
Would you be comfortable reading your clinical notes aloud in a courtroom?
It’s an uncomfortable question.
But it highlights something important: your clinical record isn’t just an administrative task. It can become a crucial account of what happened, what you considered, what you discussed and why you made a particular decision.
“Documented” doesn’t necessarily mean “defensible”.
Clear, contemporaneous and meaningful records matter.
So, next time you finish a busy clinic, take a moment before moving on to the next patient.
If someone read these notes years from now, would they understand why you made that decision?