Cross-sectional survey research investigating how medical students use clinical photographs to support their learning

Abstract

This study explored students’ use of clinical photographs within seven medical schools in England. The design used was cross-sectional survey research. The data collection method was a self-completion online survey. A total of 283 students participated in the study. The proportion of students using clinical photographs was 87%, p = .217. The medical subject discipline in which clinical photographs were considered by students as most useful were dermatology (71%). The proportion for those ‘Very’ or ‘Quite’ likely to access an image library made available through their medical school was 92%. The main barrier to using existing photographic resources was awareness.

Keywords:

• Clinical photography
• medical education
• health communications
• service development
• dermatology
• image library

Disclosure statement

During the research period, the author was also employed by Wellcome Trust.