Standardization of Clinical Photos for Tracking Management of Hair Loss in Dermatology Clinics

Despite its usefulness, clinical photos are not frequently utilized for hair loss patients seen in dermatology due to inefficiency and lack of standardization. Standardized photography for hair loss patients has been shown to improve patient motivation, satisfaction, and treatment monitoring.

This study introduced standardized photography protocols through educational materials for staff with the aim of improving clinical documentation for hair loss patients.

Over an initial 10-month period, 32% (16/50) of randomly selected patients presenting with a chief complaint of hair loss to an academic dermatology practice had optimal standardized photos. Though numerous underlying factors likely accounted for this shortcoming, one contributing cause was that nurses and medical assistants (MAs) in the department were not trained to obtain necessary photos for each visit. We aimed to increase correct standardized photos in a dermatology clinic to 60% of hair loss patients. We created a 2-min video demonstrating three main points: when to take hair loss photos during appointments, which views to take, and how to upload pictures into patient charts. This video was distributed to all nurses and MAs in the department.

After the distribution of the training video, nurses and MAs were statistically significantly more likely to take the correct hair loss photos, with 66% (33/50) of patients having correct pictures taken with a minimum of three views (p < 0.005).

Standardized photography for hair loss patients is a simple intervention with positive benefits. By improving clinical documentation, care, and outcomes for patients seeking treatment for hair loss can be improved.