03/12/2025
Ethical Concerns
• Confidentiality: Patients trust healthcare providers to protect their identity. Faces are highly identifiable, so showing them risks violating confidentiality.
• Consent: Even if the intent is educational or promotional, patients must give clear, informed consent. Without it, it’s exploitation.
• Dignity & Respect: Patients may feel exposed, stigmatized, or objectified if their image is shared without permission.
• Potential Harm: Media exposure can affect a patient’s personal life, employment, or mental well-being.
Legal Framework
• In many countries, laws like HIPAA (U.S.) or GDPR (EU) strictly regulate the use of identifiable patient information, including images.
• Violations can lead to fines, lawsuits, and loss of professional licenses.
✅ Ethical Alternatives
• Use anonymized images (blurred faces, non-identifiable features).
• Employ actors or simulations for educational media.
• Focus on illustrations or diagrams instead of real patient photos.