title: Imaging and image management: A survey on current outlook and awareness in pathology practice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Flexibility of digital photography enables it to be an integral part of pathology practice. An assessment of guidelines of imaging is essential for proper usage of photographs.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study was to assess awareness of oral pathologists about various aspects of medical photography.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaire based on the availability of facilities, usage, technical details and ethical issues of medical photography was sent to postgraduate students and teaching faculties of Oral Pathology in various localities in India.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Photographs were taken mostly for the purposes of publication, medical documentation and education. Significant number of postgraduate students and faculties of Oral Pathology didn't receive any training or hadn't gone through any publications/books (P = 0.000) about medical photography. Consent for patient photography was taken by significant number of respondents (P = 0.000) but in a verbal form. Majority of people used image editing software, but 19.0% of faculties and 21.1% of postgraduate students were unaware of deleterious effect of image editing. Firm and sensible instructions concerning image storage, sharing and accessibility were not yet created.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This survey drew attention towards lack of proper understanding about the technical details, medical protocols and ethical issues related to medical photography. These findings recommend implementation of basic training for medical photography and policy for image management for students and faculties in every health care institution.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Azeezia College of Dental Sciences and Research, Kollam, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Indu
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Pushpagiri College of Dental Sciences and Research, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sunil
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Azeezia College of Dental Sciences and Research, Kollam, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rathy
authors.affiliation: Private Practitioner, Consultant Dental Surgeon, Vayalar (P.O), Cherthala, Alappuzha, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Binu
keywords: Confidentiality; consent; copy right; data protection; medical photography; photomicrography