title: Should 'smart phones' be used for patient photography?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Within the field of plastic surgery, clinical photography is an essential tool. 'Smart phones' are increasingly being used for photography in medical settings.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of smart phone use for clinical photography among plastic surgeons and plastic surgery residents in Canada.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2014, a survey was distributed to all members of the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons. The questions encompassed four main categories: smart phone use for clinical photos; storage of photos; consent process; and privacy issues. The survey participation rate was 27% (147 of 545) with 103 surgeons and 44 residents. In total, 89.1% (131 of 147) of respondents have taken photographs of patients using smart phones and 57% (74 of 130) store these photos on their phones. In addition, 73% (74 of 102) of respondents store these photos among personal photos. The majority of respondents (75% [106 of 142]) believe obtaining verbal consent before taking clinical photographs is sufficient to ensure privacy is respected. Written consent is not commonly obtained, but 83% (116 of 140) would obtain it, if it could be done more efficiently. Twenty-six percent (31 of 119) of respondents have accidentally shown a clinical photograph on their phone to friends or family. A smart phone application that incorporates a written consent process, and allows photos to be immediately stored externally, is perceived by 59% (83 of 140) to be a possible way to address these issues.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Smart phones are commonly used to obtain clinical photographs in plastic surgery. There are issues around consent process, storage of photos and privacy that need to be addressed.
authors.affiliation: University of Calgary, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta;
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: University of Calgary, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta;
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Charette
authors.affiliation: Section of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta;
authors.forename: Danielle O
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Dumestre
authors.affiliation: Alberta Children's Hospital, Sections of Plastic Surgery and Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.
authors.forename: Frankie Og
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Fraulin
keywords: Clinical photography; Consent; Medical photography; Mobile phone; Plastic surgery; Privacy; Smart phone