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What you need to know about taking clinical images

The AMA and the Medical Indemnity Insurance Association of Australia have developed guidelines that doctors should consider before capturing and transmitting a clinical image on a personal mobile device. Doctors used to rely on a camera from the hospital’s clinical photography department to capture and send an image. Now, we’re far more likely to reach for our own smart phone or tablet and send the image to a colleague over the internet. Sharing images is extremely valuable for teaching, research and advice but there are associated legal, professional, and ethical responsibilities. An image is part of a patient's medical record and is subject to the same privacy and confidentiality principles.  And there are significant legal and financial penalties for breaches.

If you are taking or receiving clinical images on your mobile device, you absolutely need to download a copy of the guide here.

 

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