The Ethics and Legality of Using Personal Smartphones to take Medical Photographs

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Photography in the medical profession is an asset that may help during patients’ follow-up, monitoring the progression of diseases, getting a second opinion and in medical educational activities. Advances in technology, specifically smartphones, have enabled medical professionals to obtain high-quality photographs with minimal effort and photography experience. This article discusses the ethics and legality of using personal smartphones in a medical professional setting for medical photography. Written informed consent should always be obtained from the patient and should include details about how the photographs will be used.

Keywords: Photography; Smartphone; Informed Consent; Ethics; Medical Legislation; Publications; Medical Education; Oman.