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Non-Clinical - Medical Photography v16
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Availability
On-Demand
Expires on Jun 30, 2027
Credit Offered
No Credit Offered
  • Course Description
  • Learning Objectives
  • History of Authors

This course introduces residents to the fundamental principles of medical photography, emphasizing its critical role in documentation, communication, and evaluation of outcomes in plastic surgery. Residents will develop a strong foundation in photographic techniques, including an understanding of aperture, shutter speed, depth of field, resolution, image quality, flash positioning, ISO, exposure modes, and lens selection. These technical skills are essential for capturing high-quality, standardized images in both preoperative and intraoperative settings.

Residents will also learn how to properly compose photographs of various anatomical regions following standardized protocols, with attention to framing, orientation, background, and patient positioning. Emphasis is placed on patient care and professionalism, including obtaining informed consent, safeguarding digital images as part of the medical record, and respecting patient privacy under HIPAA guidelines. Through critical review of photographic techniques and outcomes, residents will use photography as a tool for continuous improvement in surgical practice and documentation.

Medical Knowledge

Goals: The resident will understand the basic principles of photography including equipment and composition.


Learning Objectives

  1. Basic Photographic principles -- understand aperture and shutter speed, depth of field
  2. Images -- understand resolution, compression, quality, megapixels, file size
  3. Flash -- understand concept of flash, position of flash
  4. Camera controls -- Understand ISO, Exposure modes, Image Color (white balance),
  5. Lenses -- understand focal length, focal distance, digital vs optical zoom, macro lens, ideal choices of lens for subject of photograph, how sensor size affects lens focal length

Patient Care

Goals: Understand the rationale for and know standardized views of patients.

 

Learning Objectives

  1. Understand common pitfalls in image composition, including framing, orientation, camera tilt, background, appropriate garments, arrangement
  2. Know how to compose an ideal intra-operative photo
  3. Know the standard views of the face and the Frankfort Horizontal
  4. Know the standard views of the Eyelid
  5. Know the standard views of the Breast
  6. Know the standard views of the Hand
  7. Know the standard views of the Lower Trunk, Abdomen, Buttocks
  8. Know the standard views of the Legs and Feet

Practice-Based Learning and Improvement

Goals: Evaluate and use the results of photography improve results.

 

Learning Objectives

  1. Use of photographs for improvement of surgical results.
  2. Analysis of photographs for improvement of photographic technique.

System-Based Practice

Goals: Understand the legal aspects of photography.

 

Learning Objectives

  1. Obtain appropriate consent for photographs.
  2. Understand risks of digital photography including issues with using a cell phone’s camera.
  3. Understand the photograph as a part of the medical record.
  4. Backing up photographs -- security concerns.

Professionalism

Goals: Demonstrate appropriate commitment to professional and ethical behavior in relationship to patient photographs.

 

Learning Objectives

  1. Respect for the patient's legal and ethical rights regarding photos.
  2. Treating the photograph as "Personal Health Information" (PHI).


Copyright © 2026 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. All rights reserved. Materials made available through ASPS’ Resident Education Curriculum (including but not limited to patient images) may not be downloaded, copied, shared, distributed, or utilized outside the ASPS online learning platform for any purpose without ASPS’ express prior written consent. V16.

Alexander Kaminsky, MD

2016 2017 2018

William Y. Hoffman, MD

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Louis Davis, MD

2014 2015

Paige Fox, MD

2019

Philip Brazio, MD

2018 (Resident Reviewer)

Christian Vercler, MD

2020

Jeffrey Lisiecki, MD

2020 (Resident Reviewer)