Operative photography in gynaecological endosurgery

To define the attitude of patients, doctors and nurses to operative photographs captured at gynaecological endosurgery, and to determine the value of these photographs in patient education.

Postal questionnaire survey of specialists, general practitioners, nurses and patients at a tertiary referral hospital in south-west Sydney.

All patients who underwent endoscopic gynaecological surgery between 1 February and 1 May 1998, and for whom good quality operative photographs were available, and medical and nursing staff randomly selected from lists of practitioners within the Southwest Sydney Area Health Service.

Opinions on whether operative photodocumentation assists patients in understanding their condition; the value to patients of these records; whether operative photographs assist referring doctors in subsequent management of patients; the use of operative photographs in medical records or as personal records for patients; whether photographs may lead to anxiety or be used in medicolegal action.

All patients believed operative images were valuable in helping them understand their condition. 19 of 20 specialists (95%), 85 of 123 general practitioners (69%) and 23 of 28 nursing staff (82%) also believed that operative images assist patients in understanding their disease. Nearly all patients denied that operative images would create anxiety, and specialists, general practitioners and nurses also felt that the photographs would not cause anxiety. 78% of general practitioners expressed a desire to receive operative images.

Photographic records of operative procedures are regarded as valuable by both referring doctors and their patients. Patients find photographs useful in understanding their disease.