Ethics of clinical photography in dermatology: Consent, privacy, security, and scientific integrity

Clinical photography is one of the most important aspects of day-to-day dermatology practice. It is essential for diagnosis and documentation. It also helps in monitoring treatment response and research. But the widespread use of smartphones and various digital platforms in the current scenario has resulted in many ethical concerns related to patients’ privacy. There are several issues with image integrity and data security. This article reviews ethical principles and legal considerations governing clinical photography. A special emphasis is given to the Indian context. Protection of patient rights and maintaining scientific integrity in research and publications are crucial. This article focuses on key issues including informed consent and confidentiality. Emerging challenges posed by digital sharing and artificial intelligence are also discussed. Finally, we propose best practices to ensure ethical compliance.