Clinical Image Consent Requirements: Variability among Top Ten Medical Journals
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| Title: | Clinical Image Consent Requirements: Variability among Top Ten Medical Journals |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Lessing, Juan N. (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of Academic Ethics. Dec 2019 17(4):423-427. |
| Availability: | BioMed Central, Ltd. Available from: Springer Nature. 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-348-4505; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 5 |
| Publication Date: | 2019 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Content Analysis, Periodicals, Medical Research, Writing for Publication, Illustrations, Photography, Compliance (Legal), Informed Consent, Authors, Information Dissemination, Scholarship, Privacy, Records (Forms) |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s10805-019-09331-7 |
| ISSN: | 1570-1727 |
| Abstract: | The consent process for publication of clinical images in medical journals varies widely. The extent of this variation is not known. It is also not known whether journals follow their own stated best practices or the guidance of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). We assessed consent requirements in a sample of 10 top impact factor general medicine journals that publish clinical images, examining variability in consent requirements for clinical image publication and congruence of requirements with the recommendations of the ICMJE. Clinical image consent requirements varied widely from journal to journal. None of the studied journals, even amongst n = 4 ICMJE members or n = 8 journals who self-report adherence to ICMJE guidelines, comply with all of the recommendations of the ICMJE. Half of studied journals require a journal-specific consent form. Among top medical journals there is significant heterogeneity in consent requirements for clinical images. Variability of consent requirements is neither practical nor rational; inconsistent requirements create uncertainty for authors, present impediments to dissemination of scholarship, and undermine a shared professional understanding of how best to protect patient privacy. We propose adopting a standardized consent form and process for publication of identifiable images in medical journals, with uniform elements and explicit definitions. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2019 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1236446 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | The consent process for publication of clinical images in medical journals varies widely. The extent of this variation is not known. It is also not known whether journals follow their own stated best practices or the guidance of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). We assessed consent requirements in a sample of 10 top impact factor general medicine journals that publish clinical images, examining variability in consent requirements for clinical image publication and congruence of requirements with the recommendations of the ICMJE. Clinical image consent requirements varied widely from journal to journal. None of the studied journals, even amongst n = 4 ICMJE members or n = 8 journals who self-report adherence to ICMJE guidelines, comply with all of the recommendations of the ICMJE. Half of studied journals require a journal-specific consent form. Among top medical journals there is significant heterogeneity in consent requirements for clinical images. Variability of consent requirements is neither practical nor rational; inconsistent requirements create uncertainty for authors, present impediments to dissemination of scholarship, and undermine a shared professional understanding of how best to protect patient privacy. We propose adopting a standardized consent form and process for publication of identifiable images in medical journals, with uniform elements and explicit definitions. |
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| ISSN: | 1570-1727 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s10805-019-09331-7 |
