Patient-initiated camera phone images in general practice: a qualitative study of illustrated narratives

Abstract

BackgroundCamera phones have become ubiquitous in the digital age. Patients are beginning to bring images recorded on their mobile phones to share with their GP during medical consultations. AimTo explore GP perceptions about the effect of patient-initiated camera phone images on the consultation. Design and settingAn interview study of GPs based in rural and urban locations in Australia. MethodsSemi-structured telephone interviews with nine GPs about their experiences with patientinitiated camera phone images. ResultsGPs described how patient-initiated camera phone photos and videos contributed to the diagnostic process, management and continuity of care. These images gave GPs in the study additional insight into the patient's world. Potential harm resulting from inappropriate use of camera phones by patients was also identified. ConclusionPatient-initiated camera phone images can empower patients by illustrating their narratives, thus contributing to improved communication in general practice. Potential harm could result from inappropriate use of these images. GPs shown images on patients' camera phones should make the most of this opportunity for improved understanding of the patient's world. There are however, potential medicolegal implications such as informed consent, protection of patient and doctor privacy, and the risk of misdiagnosis.Key words cellular phone; communication; general practice; photography; self care.

Engagement, Empowerment and Patient Generated Health Data

“…Tan, et al (2014) found the same results with another small study population, suggesting that somewhere between 10-25% of providers will not use patient generated health data in clinical care. Inhibitors for clinicians to accept data include risk management, legal implications, duplication of data, retention, policy development (Archer et al, 2013) data security (Casper & McDaniel, 2015;Huba & Zhang, 2012) interoperability (Leventhal, Cummins, Schwartz, Martin, & Tierney, 2015;Sujansky & Kunz, 2015;Taylor, 2013) and data tagging (Leventhal, et al, 2015;Van Doornik, 2013).…”

“…As the research is nascent (Chung & Basch, 2015) expert opinion on the projected use of PGHD and actual empirical findings have been distinguished. Tang et al 2006;Ahern et al 2011;Huba & Zhang, 2012;Archer et al 2013;Allen et al 2016;Chung & Basch 2015;Fountain 2014 (Reduced); Tan et al 2014. Table 2.…”

“…Researchers Tan, et al (2014) conducted a qualitative interview study based on perceptions of unsolicited photographs patients bring to General Practitioners (GPs). This study closely aligns with the objectives of this thesis.…”

“…While these results are important, hearing directly from patients is critical to understanding empowerment and patient generated health data. Hence this research aims to conduct a more thorough study of patient generated health data, emphasising the patient's perspective, building on the work by Tan et al (2014) and filling an important gap in the literature.…”

“…Tan et al (2014) suggested empowerment would be a consequence of generating and using the data in clinical care, with Fumagalli et al (2014) suggesting engagement is part of a wider empowerment process. Indeed, consumer empowerment in healthcare services and patient empowerment are both important concepts at the heart of medical care, enabling better physiological and psychosocial health outcomes (Anderson et al, 1995) in the era of the engaged, informed patient.…”