Digital photography.
OBJECTIVE
The emergence of a new generation of "point-and-shoot" digital cameras offers doctors a compact, portable and user-friendly solution to the recording of highly detailed digital photographs and video images. This work highlights the use of such technology, and provides information for those who wish to record, store and display their own medical images.


METHODS
Over a 3-month period, a digital camera was carried by a doctor in a busy, adult emergency department and used to record a range of clinical images that were subsequently transferred to a computer database.


RESULTS
In total, 493 digital images were recorded, of which 428 were photographs and 65 were video clips. These were successfully used for teaching purposes, publications and patient records.


CONCLUSIONS
This study highlights the importance of informed consent, the selection of a suitable package of digital technology and the role of basic photographic technique in developing a successful digital database in a busy clinical environment.
Windsor
J S
JS
Centre for Aviation, Space and Extreme Environment Medicine (CASE), Flat 2 St James's School, George's Road, London N7 8HD, UK. jswindsor@doctors.org.uk
Rodway
G W
GW
Middleton
P M
PM
McCarthy
S
S
D034201:Computers, Handheld; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D010781:Photography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014741:Video Recording