The Influence of Photography Education on Quality of Medical Photographs Taken by Dermatology Resident

Kim, Jae Hwan; Seo, Soo Hong; Kye, Young Chul; Ahn, Hyo Hyun

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Photography plays an important role in dermatology and digital cameras are now widely used to document skin diseases. However, photography itself is rarely educated during dermatology residency program and the quality of photographs as medical photography has not been objectively evaluated.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the influence of photography education on the quality of medical photographs taken by dermatology resident.
METHODS
First-grade dermatology resident received medical photography education and his medical photographs were collected and classified by period (2 weeks before, 2 weeks and 2 months after education). To evaluate these photographs, medical photograph assessment items were developed after reviewing related journals and textbooks. A board-certified dermatologist scored all of the medical photographs based on medical photograph assessment items and scores were compared.
RESULTS
The quality of photographs was improved after education and it was maintained after 2 months. Photographs of male patients displayed better background and photographic composition than those of female patients.
CONCLUSION
Photography education is necessary to obtain medical photographs of high quality.