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Cited by 116Digital Imaging in MedicineMedical and Health Sciences ResearchMedical Malpractice and Liability Issues

Clinical photography in dermatology: Ethical and medico-legal considerations in the age of digital and smartphone technology

Kunde, Lauren, McMeniman, Erin, Parker, Malcolm·2013·Australasian Journal of Dermatology
DOI 10.1111/ajd.12063
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Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Clinical photography has long been an important aspect in the management of dermatological pathology and has many applications in contemporary dermatology practice. With the continuous evolution of digital and smartphone technology, clinicians must maintain ethical and medico-legal standards. This article reviews how dermatology trainees are utilising this technology in their clinical practice and what procedures they follow when taking photos of patients. We review the ethical and legal considerations of clinical photography in dermatology and present a hypothetical medico-legal scenario. METHODS: Dermatology registrars were surveyed on their use of personal smartphones and digital equipment for photographing patients in their clinical practice. Numerous medico-legal providers were approached to provide medico-legal advice about a hypothetical scenario. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the use of these technologies is prevalent among dermatology registrars and all respondents reported regular use. Clinicians should routinely obtain and document adequate patient consent in relation to clinical photography, utilise strict privacy settings on smartphones and other digital devices and ensure that the images are stored on these devices for minimal periods. Express consent documentation in the clinical file puts the clinician in a more defensible position if a complaint is made to the medical board or privacy commissioner.

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Crossref · 10.1111/ajd.12063

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  • 60% of specialists continue to store photographs of their patients in their personal mobile phones.

    “Although 60% of specialists continue to store photographs of their patients in their personal mobile phones [72,74-77]”

    From Use of Smartphones for Early Detection of Melanoma: Systematic Review (2018) · cites this paper as [72]

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Authors
Kunde, L., McMeniman, E., & Parker, M.
Affiliations
  • Queensland University of Technology (AU)
  • Princess Alexandra Hospital (AU)
  • The University of Queensland (AU)
Corresponding author
Kunde, Lauren
ORCID
Venue
Australasian Journal of Dermatology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2013-05-29
Volume
54
Issue
3
Pages
192-197
ISSN
0004-8380 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1111/ajd.12063
OpenAlex
W1903670133
Cited by
116
References
11
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 1
FWCI
9.86
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
doi.wiley.com/10.1002/tdm_license_1.1 (tdm, 825 d)
Locations
  • Australasian Journal of Dermatology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Digital Imaging in Medicine
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Medical and Health Sciences Research
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Medical Malpractice and Liability Issues
Keywords
medical photography, dermatology, medicolegal issues, ethics, informed consent, patient privacy, smartphone photography, digital photography, medical complaints, image storage
MeSH terms
Data Collection, Dermatology, Humans, Informed Consent, Photography, Practice Patterns, Physicians', Skin Diseases, Privacy, Cell Phone

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