WTP4.16 Patient Perceptions of Clinical Photography in a Tertiary Vascular Centre

Introduction The burden of limb threatening ischemia and diabetic foot disease is considerable, as clinicians we are faced with a myriad of wounds to commit to memory. Digital images are more accurate than written notes or memory for recording healing progress and guiding care decisions. Objectives To ascertain patient perception of clinical photography within a Vascular unit. Method An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to patients in inpatient and outpatient settings over six weeks. This consisted eleven questions covering domains of the consent process, method of clinical image capture, distribution and accessibility of images and patients general perception of the potential effects on their care. Results Fifty questionnaires were returned all being used for calculations. 50 % of patients had no preference in the method used to obtain their consent. 73% had no preference in which medical professional captured their clinical images while 24% would prefer if this was done by their treating doctor. All patients (100 %) were happy to have their clinical images accessible to their treating doctors as well attached to their discharge summary to the GP/ Podiatrist. The majority of patients (94%) thought clinical photography would improve their understanding of their wound and ongoing treatment (98%) while 18% deemed that its use will have no effect on their care. Conclusions Clinical photography in this vascular unit was acceptable to the majority of patients. The use of clinical photography should be a routine part of wound documentation, with emphasis on its use in conjunction with clinical information.