Knowledge of healthcare professionals about rights of patient's images.

Bianca Rodrigues Caires,Meiry Fernanda Pinto Okuno,Ruth Ester Assayag Batista,Cássia Regina Vancini-Campanharo,Maria Carolina Barbosa Teixeira Lopes

doi:10.1590/s1679-45082015ao3207

Bianca Rodrigues Caires, Meiry Fernanda Pinto Okuno + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1679-45082015ao3207

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Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess knowledge of healthcare professionals about capture and reproduction of images of patients in a hospital setting.MethodsA cross-sectional and observational study among 360 healthcare professionals (nursing staff, physical therapists, and physicians), working at a teaching hospital in the city of São Paulo (SP). A questionnaire with sociodemographic information was distributed and data were correlated to capture and reproduction of images at hospitals.ResultsOf the 360 respondents, 142 had captured images of patients in the last year, and 312 reported seeing other professionals taking photographs of patients. Of the participants who captured images, 61 said they used them for studies and presentation of clinical cases, and 168 professionals reported not knowing of any legislation in the Brazilian Penal Code regarding collection and use of images.ConclusionThere is a gap in the training of healthcare professionals regarding the use of patient´s images. It is necessary to include subjects that address this theme in the syllabus of undergraduate courses, and the healthcare organizations should regulate this issue.

Highlights

Privacy is an individual right, which covers situations related to the intimacy of each person, to respect for dignity, and to family and social relationships
Of the 360 healthcare professionals interviewed, there was a 72.8% predominance of females, 89.7% were aged ≥40 years, 31.4% were nurses, 36.7% reported a professional experience time of 1 to 3 years, 43.9% (n=158) were residents, and regarding the place of work in the hospital, 43.0% worked at inpatients units
The fact that the majority of healthcare professionals has access to new technologies, such as cell phones with photographic cameras, has created a new ethical confrontation in healthcare organizations, since situations experienced by the patients are captured and reproduced, with rare obtaining of prior consent from the patient.[5]

Summary

Introduction

Privacy is an individual right, which covers situations related to the intimacy of each person, to respect for dignity, and to family and social relationships. Patients face hospitalization as a depersonalization factor, since they recognize the difficulty in maintaining their identity, intimacy, and privacy.[3] Observing the practice of care, a lack of concern regarding body exposure is noted in many situations, along with little preoccupation with the patient’s modesty. This person, who should be perceived as the subject of care, becomes an object, losing his/her identity.[2]. The use of the cell phone with photographic camera by many healthcare professionals has facilitated the capture and reproduction of images of patients with a compromise of the level of consciousness.[5]

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