1.1 Introduction
Maintaining good clinical records is undoubtedly for the best interest of the patient but securing them from any misuse too remains our responsibility. Photographs of patients are generally obtained within the doctor-patient relationship. This is particularly in Plastic Surgery where they form part of the patient’s medical record, making them subject to this duty of confidence. Photographs, videos and audios are an integral part of patient’s clinical notes in Plastic Surgery and must be available throughout his/her follow-up period. Thereafter, they should be securely archived. In recent years, the paper documentation of medical records has given way to E-documentation. This has further increased the responsibility of the surgeon, as only he/she would be held responsible if the records are stolen and misused.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Photography may seem a relatively modest endeavour in the health field, compared with the apparent power of social and economic policy, the impact of major infrastructure development, or of modern medicine. Health is one of the most important factors that determine the quality of human capital, a necessary factor for economic growth. In line with the above, a consensus of opinion have been formed among researchers recognizing health as a public good, the demand and supply of which cannot be left at the mercy of invisible hands or profit maximizing individual as well as on considerations of utility maximizing conduct alone . Hence, the need for the government to play a major role in delivering good and qualitative healthcare services that is accessible and affordable for the teeming population. The recognition of the importance of the above led the World Health Organisation (WHO) to propose at the 2010 World Health Assembly, issues that will address financing of health, which will ensure qualitative and affordable healthcare services (Ataguba and Akazili, 2010).
One of the intricate issues and nuances associated with the analysis of health care financing is the identification of health care expenditure given the demarcation between preventive and curative health care services. The proposed integration of traditional medicine practitioners into the mainstream formal health sector will further pose a challenge to the analysis of health care financing as argued by Metiboba (2012).
Many images taken from patients have a high educational value without revealing the patient’s identity. X-rays, endoscopic images, images of specimens or tissues taken during the operation, still or video recordings of surgical procedures and microscopic images can all be useful teaching aids. Although they are derived from real patients, they can be classified as anonymous as they do not directly or indirectly, identify the person to whom they relate. These images are made fully anonymous when patient identifying details are erased / omitted from X-rays and computed tomography / magnetic resonance scans.
There is also a trend of developing online video libraries by various associations and societies and video-graphing patients in operative workshops. Both involve serious violation of patients’ privacy and require a detailed and explicit consent from the patient. Any video procedure requires a special consent, even if the identity is not clearly visible. It should be made clear that the person taking the video is qualified, and that in no way it is a distraction to the surgeon. It is also a good idea to mention that steps will not be redone unnecessarily, just because it was not recorded properly the first time. One must be very cautious if these videos and libraries are being used for commercial purposes and double check if the patient has consented for the same. Taking snapshots and videos of the images projected on the screen from the auditorium has become a menace because this not only threatens the privacy of the patient but also intellectual property rights of the presenter/operating surgeon.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Role of Photography in Healthcare Reform.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that medical businesses are struggling with the problem of having a place to shoot photos. For example, while photographing pharma-oriented products does not cause many difficulties in terms of choosing a location, there are issues with dental services. The point is that the conditions for photographing a medical brand or service differ from one company to another. But, in any case, the choice of location plays a crucial role in getting the relevant result (Brandmed, 2021).
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Role of Photography in Healthcare Reform. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To investigate the health care policy factors inhibiting photography in the area under study;
- To correct the wrong insinuation of neglecting the utilization of photograph in healthcare industry;
- To examine the contribution of photography utilization towards health care reform;
- To ascertain the importance of photography in the healthcare industry; and
- To proffer solution to the problems affecting photography in healthcare reform in the area under study.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What is the health care policy factor inhibiting photography in the area under study?
- What is the contribution of photography utilization towards health care reform?
- What is the importance of photography in the healthcare industry?
- What are the problems affecting photography in healthcare reform in the area under study?
- What are the wrong insinuations neglecting the utilization of photograph in healthcare industry?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There are no significant health care policy factors affecting photography in health care industry
- H1: There are significant health care policy factors affecting photography in health care industry
1.7 Significance of Study
This research work is designed to give adequate knowledge to the graphics artist on how to make best use to photograph in health care industry for recognition and promotion. Scholars will benefit from this study as it would provide a fore knowledge of happenings in the health sector in Nigeria and also serve as a basis for further research.
Finally, it would serve as a wakeup call to government so that efficiency and effectiveness will be ensured in the disbursement of funds to the health sector.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the role of photography in health care reform in Nigeria using Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State as a case study.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Health Care Financing: Healthcare financing can be defined as the mobilization of funds for healthcare services (Oyefabi, Aliyu & Idris, 2014). In other words, it is the provision of money, funds or resources to the activities designed by government to maintain people’s health.
