The availability of smartphones and other electronic gadgets made it so easy for patients to audio/video record any conversations or visits with a doctor, with or without consent. Medical doctors are becoming wary of this reality, more so after an adverse event.
A written account is a doctors report of his visit or his consult. Because it is written by the doctor the report might not be completely objective. An audio/video record seems to be more objective, but by using just cerain parts of the conversation to formulate a complaint or in a law suit the truth might be twisted. Both the record or the written account can be used by the patient. The written account can be used by the doctor in defense of a criminal charge or complaint.
In the Netherlands it is prohibited to record a conversation without consent. Laws may differ in other countries, but some kind of privacy protection (not only for patients) is established in many countries.
The following Blog highlights some of the concerned incidents in the N America:
http://www.bioethics.net/2015/04/why-doctors-should-audio-record-patient-encounters/
As Wilma mentions that laws are different in each country and one should consult the regulations governing privacy and legal actions.
Wilma and Arthur are making an important point.
There is no globally valid answer since the legal Systems are simply different around the Globe even in nearby countries e.g within the EU (differences between the Netherlands, Germany, Poland and Italy)....
Though both options seem to be similar only one may be allowed. You have to check the national legislation...
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