The use of new age technology and smartphones in the clinical setting have both advantages and potential ethical dilemmas. The ability to send a photo of a current patient’s condition in real time can aid in the direction of their care, but also lends itself to many ethical questions. The article reviewed “Ethical considerations of clinical photography in an area of emerging technology and smartphones” by Van der Rijt & Hoffman (2014). The ethical issues presented in the article brings up the question of a proper consent and the use of secure data storage of patient specific information. The article offers the idea of using technology to its fullest as long as the healthcare institution does not put progress before its responsibility to
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Smartphones can transmit information from Medical fellows in the Hospital to their Attending Physicians out of the hospital within seconds that can dictate if the patient is a surgical candidate. The use of smartphones can provide photo documentation in a patient’s chart to stage their progress or recovery. The use of personal devices sending sensitive data raises an ethical problem. The data is not being transmitted on a secure network or from a hospital sanctioned device. The use of proper consents that states the purpose and limits of the photo documentation is required. The healthcare professional taking the photo is charged with the responsibility to store the information in the appropriate manner and to delete information after its use. The benefits of having photo documentation taken and stored can be a great adjunct to the patient’s medical record, but accurate charting is still paramount.
The reviewed articles authors provide both an accurate account of the need for the use of photo documentation in the healthcare setting and the ethical pitfalls that lay ahead with increase in technology. The authors allow the reader a true prospective to the benefits of having photos taken and shared in a professional manner between healthcare professionals. The article also brings up the point of the need for a separate consent for photo documentation, as well as, proper training from the healthcare professionals related to the use and storage of the
Smartphones can transmit information from Medical fellows in the Hospital to their Attending Physicians out of the hospital within seconds that can dictate if the patient is a surgical candidate. The use of smartphones can provide photo documentation in a patient’s chart to stage their progress or recovery. The use of personal devices sending sensitive data raises an ethical problem. The data is not being transmitted on a secure network or from a hospital sanctioned device. The use of proper consents that states the purpose and limits of the photo documentation is required. The healthcare professional taking the photo is charged with the responsibility to store the information in the appropriate manner and to delete information after its use. The benefits of having photo documentation taken and stored can be a great adjunct to the patient’s medical record, but accurate charting is still paramount.
The reviewed articles authors provide both an accurate account of the need for the use of photo documentation in the healthcare setting and the ethical pitfalls that lay ahead with increase in technology. The authors allow the reader a true prospective to the benefits of having photos taken and shared in a professional manner between healthcare professionals. The article also brings up the point of the need for a separate consent for photo documentation, as well as, proper training from the healthcare professionals related to the use and storage of the