A medical communication system includes a plurality of end-user audio/video recording and playback devices (40) disposed with recipients of medical assistance, and a medical server (10) configured to receive audio/video messages (90′) generated by the end-user audio/video devices and to generate and transmit audio/video responses (94) to targeted end-user audio/video devices. The medical server includes an audio/video recording and playback device (12) configured to playback received audio/video messages and to record audio/video responses, and the end user audio/video recording and playback devices are configured to playback audio/video responses (94′) received from the server. In some embodiments, each end-user audio/video device includes: a video recording lens (62); a microphone (64); and an automatic lens cover (63) arranged to physically block the video recording lens except during recording of audio/video content. In some embodiments, each end-user audio/video device includes a consumer entertainment device (50, 52).