Clinical Photography Consent
Clinical Photography Consent
1. Introduction
At OJ Clinics, we use clinical photography as an important part of your medical record and treatment journey. This consent form explains how and why we take photographs, how they are stored and used, and your rights regarding these images.
Please read this document carefully. If you have any questions, please ask your practitioner before signing.
2. Purpose of Clinical Photography
Clinical photographs are taken for the following purposes:
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Medical record keeping – to accurately document your skin condition, lesion appearance, or treatment area at a specific point in time
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Treatment planning – to assist in diagnosis, monitoring changes over time, and planning procedures
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Treatment evaluation – to assess the effectiveness of treatments and track healing progress
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Quality assurance and clinical audit – to support our clinical governance and continuous improvement activities
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Education and training – for teaching purposes within the clinic, provided images are de-identified
3. What Photography Involves
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Photographs are taken using our clinic’s clinical photography equipment (dermatoscope, camera, or smartphone with secure clinical apps) during your consultation or procedure.
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The photographs will focus only on the area of clinical interest.
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Your identity will not be recorded in the image file name or metadata unless required for clinical record-keeping.
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You may request that certain areas not be photographed, and we will respect your wishes.
4. Storage and Security
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All clinical photographs are stored securely within our clinical record system in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and our Privacy Policy.
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Access to these images is restricted to authorised clinical and administrative staff involved in your care.
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We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your images from unauthorised access, misuse, or loss.
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Images are retained for the period required by law for medical records.
5. Use and Disclosure of Images
Use for Your Care (Primary Purpose)
Your images will be used as part of your medical record and for the direct provision of healthcare services to you.
Disclosure to Other Healthcare Providers
We may share your images with other healthcare practitioners involved in your care (e.g., specialists, pathologists) with your consent. This is done to facilitate accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Use for Other Purposes (Requires Additional Consent)
If we wish to use your images for any purpose beyond your direct care – such as:
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Publication in medical journals or textbooks
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Presentation at conferences or educational events
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Marketing or promotional materials (including our website or social media)
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Medical research
– we will seek your specific, written consent for that purpose separately. You may withdraw this consent at any time.
De-identified Use
We may use de-identified images (where your identity cannot be reasonably ascertained) for internal quality assurance, audit, or research purposes without further consent, where permitted by law.
6. Your Rights
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Access: You have the right to request access to your clinical photographs and to have them included in your medical record.
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Correction: If you believe an image is inaccurate or incomplete, you may request correction.
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Withdrawal of Consent: You may withdraw your consent for the taking or use of photographs for purposes beyond your direct care at any time. To do so, please contact our Practice Manager in writing.
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Refusal: You may decline to have photographs taken without affecting the quality of your care. Your practitioner will discuss alternative assessment methods.
7. Consent
By signing below, you acknowledge that:
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You have read and understood this Clinical Photography Consent document.
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You have had the opportunity to ask questions and have received satisfactory answers.
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You consent to clinical photographs being taken and stored as part of your medical record for the purposes described above.
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You understand that you may withdraw consent for use beyond your direct care at any time.
Patient Name: ____________________________________
Date of Birth: __________________________________
Signature: ____________________________________
Date: _______________________________________
Name of Practitioner: __________________________
Signature: __________________________________
Date: _______________________________________