Comprehensive Summary
The following study examines ethical considerations regarding the use of patient dermatologic images in research, education, and artificial intelligence (AI), addressing concerns that patients may feel their images are being shared without clear clinical justification. In this project, 1,316 U.S. adults with representative demographics were recruited to complete a 29-item cross-sectional survey. After analyzing the data, the researchers found that the majority of respondents (79.6%) agreed that images are necessary for skin-related medical care, and more than half (56.3%) indicated they would have greater trust in their providers if permission were requested before image use. Additionally, 62% of respondents were comfortable with their images being used for medical training, 54.6% for AI model development, 45.3% for academic conference presentations, and 45.3% for publication in medical journals. These findings underscore the importance of transparency and informed consent in the imaging process, as patients demonstrated increased trust when explicitly asked for permission regarding the use of their medical images.
Outcomes and Implications
This research highlights critical ethical considerations at the intersection of patient privacy, technological advancement, and medical ethics. As AI and digital tools continue to expand within medicine, maintaining patient trust must remain a central priority. Clinicians should communicate clearly with patients about how their medical images may be used—whether for educational purposes, AI training, or future clinical care. Ensuring patients understand and consent to the use of their data reinforces transparency, protects privacy, and strengthens the patient-physician relationship, fostering both ethical integrity and confidence in modern medical practice.