POLICY
Clinical Photography and Medical Imaging Policy
Purpose
Clinical photography and medical imaging are important components of modern dermatological care.
Drummond Dermatology uses clinical photographs and dermatoscopic images to assist diagnosis, monitor skin conditions over time, evaluate treatment outcomes and maintain accurate medical records.
This policy explains how images are collected, used, stored and protected.
This policy should be read in conjunction with the Practice Privacy Policy and Telehealth Policy.
Why Clinical Photographs Are Taken
Clinical photographs and medical images may be taken to:
- Assist diagnosis of skin conditions
- Monitor changes in skin lesions over time
- Assess treatment response
- Document clinical findings
- Facilitate communication with other healthcare practitioners involved in your care
- Maintain an accurate medical record
Photographs often provide valuable information that cannot be adequately documented through written descriptions alone.
Types of Images Collected
Images may include:
- Clinical photographs
- Dermatoscopic images
- Sequential digital dermoscopic imaging
- Total body photography
- Procedural photographs
- Clinical photographs submitted by patients
- Images obtained during telehealth consultations
Consent
Drummond Dermatology respects patient autonomy and privacy.
Patients will generally be informed before photographs are taken.
Consent may be:
- Verbal
- Written
- Implied through participation in the consultation
Patients may decline photography.
However, refusal may limit the ability to:
- Diagnose certain conditions
- Monitor skin lesions accurately
- Assess treatment outcomes
- Provide optimal clinical care
The decision whether photography is clinically necessary remains a matter of professional judgement.
Photography of Children
For children and young people, consent will generally be obtained from:
- A parent
- Legal guardian
- Person authorised to make healthcare decisions
Where appropriate, the child’s wishes and understanding will also be considered.
The dignity and privacy of children will always be respected.
Sensitive Body Areas
Extra care is taken when photographing sensitive areas of the body.
Photographs of genital, perianal, breast or other sensitive areas will only be taken where clinically necessary.
Patients may request:
- The presence of a support person
- Additional explanation regarding the purpose of photography
Such requests will be accommodated whenever possible.
Medical Record Status
Clinical photographs and dermatoscopic images form part of the medical record.
As medical records, images:
- Must be retained in accordance with legal requirements
- May be reviewed during future consultations
- Cannot generally be deleted at the request of a patient
- May be required for ongoing clinical care, medicolegal purposes or regulatory obligations
Medical records are retained in accordance with Australian legal requirements.
Use for Clinical Care
Clinical photographs may be viewed by:
- Dr Catherine Drummond
- Authorised practice staff performing administrative functions
- Other healthcare practitioners involved in your care
Images may be included in:
- Referral letters
- Specialist correspondence
- Reports to treating practitioners
where clinically relevant.
Where possible, secure healthcare communication systems will be used.
Images Provided by Patients
Patients may occasionally send photographs to the practice by email or other approved methods.
Patients should be aware that:
- Email is not a secure form of communication
- Electronic transmission carries privacy risks
- Image quality may not be adequate for diagnosis
Images voluntarily provided by patients may be incorporated into the medical record.
Submission of photographs constitutes consent for their use in clinical assessment and record keeping.
Telehealth and Clinical Photography
Photographs submitted before or during telehealth consultations may assist assessment.
However:
- Image quality may be insufficient
- Important clinical findings may not be visible
- Physical examination cannot be performed
A face-to-face consultation may still be required.
Teaching, Research and Publication
Clinical images will not be used for:
- Teaching
- Research
- Publications
- Presentations
- Marketing
- Social media
without separate specific consent.
Patients may decline consent for these purposes without any impact on their clinical care.
Consent for clinical care does not imply consent for teaching, publication or research.
Storage and Security
Clinical photographs are stored within secure medical record systems and protected by:
- Password-controlled access
- User-specific access permissions
- Multi-factor authentication where available
- Secure cloud-based storage systems
- Practice cybersecurity measures
Access is restricted to authorised persons.
The practice takes reasonable steps to protect images from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.
Privacy and Confidentiality
Clinical photographs are treated as confidential health information.
Images are managed in accordance with:
- Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)
- Australian Privacy Principles
- Relevant health records legislation
- Practice Privacy Policy
Images will not be disclosed except:
- For clinical purposes
- With patient consent
- Where required or authorised by law
Retention of Images
Clinical photographs are retained as part of the medical record for the periods required by law.
Generally:
- Adult records are retained for at least seven years after the last clinical entry.
- Records relating to children are retained until at least the patient’s twenty-fifth birthday.
Images may be retained longer where clinically or legally necessary.
Questions and Concerns
Patients who have concerns regarding clinical photography are encouraged to discuss them with Dr Catherine Drummond before photographs are taken.
The practice will endeavour to answer questions and address concerns while maintaining appropriate clinical standards.
Related Policies
Policy Information
Policy: Clinical Photography and Medical Imaging Policy
Version: 2.0
Effective Date: 1 June 2026
Review Date: 1 June 2028
Approved By: Dr Catherine Drummond
Related Legislation: Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), Australian Privacy Principles
Drummond Dermatology
Suite 16, Francis Chambers
40-42 Corinna St, Phillip ACT 2606
The best way to contact us is via email
Office Hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9.00am – 4.00pm
Wednesdays: 9.00am – 3.00pm
Friday: 9.00am – 2.00pm
How to get here
Drummond Dermatology pays respect to all First Nations Australians on whose traditional lands we meet and work, and whose cultures are among the oldest continuing cultures in human history.