Clinical Photography in Dermatology: A Cross-Sectional Analysis From the Patient’s Perspective in a Tertiary Care Center in Tamil Nadu, India

TL;DR

This study explores how patients in a dermatology clinic in India feel about clinical photography, finding mixed experiences with consent and privacy concerns.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into patient perceptions of clinical photography in dermatology, emphasizing the need for standardized consent and privacy practices.

Findings

Most patients had prior experience with clinical photography, primarily using smartphones.

Only half of participants reported being asked for consent, with verbal consent being most common.

Patients preferred secure storage and expressed discomfort with publishing images in journals.

Abstract

Introduction: Accurate diagnosis and therapy of skin illnesses depend significantly on visual inspection in dermatology, the medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases of the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes. The study aims to identify the perception of patients toward clinical photography.

Materials and methods: This study uses a prevalidated, semistructured physical questionnaire with 23 questions, translated into the local language, to gather data from dermatology outpatient department patients. It focuses on patient demographics, experiences with medical photography, acceptability, and areas for improvement. Conducted at a tertiary care institute over six months, it employs a cross-sectional design with convenience sampling. The questionnaire addresses demographics, preferences, consent, and storage practices. Clinical photography, critical in dermatology, aids in diagnosis, treatment, education, and documentation through detailed visual records of skin conditions.

Results: The age distribution indicating that the largest group, 97/300 (32.3%), was over 60 years old, followed by those aged 18-30 years (54/300, 18%), 31-40 years (54/300, 18%), 51-60 years (52/300, 17.3%), and 41-50 years (43/300, 14.3%). The gender distribution was approximately equal, with women representing 151/300 (50.3%) and men 149/300 (49.7%) of the study population. Our study revealed that 157/300 (52.3%) of participants had prior experience with clinical photography, predominantly using smartphones, 106/157 (67.5%). Only 143/300 (47.7%) reported being asked for consent, with verbal consent being the most common, 84/143 (58.7%). Preferences favored department-owned equipment for photography and secure storage solutions, reflecting concerns about privacy. Participants expressed discomfort with publishing images in journals (30%) but showed greater acceptance for academic uses like sharing with other physicians 69/300 (23%). The need for improved awareness, detailed consent forms, and standardized practices was emphasized by the majority of participants.

Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for standardized consent protocols, transparent communication regarding the purpose and utilization of clinical photographs, and secure storage practices to maintain patient trust and confidentiality.