There are many healthcare settings where photographic images are an essential part of the medical record. In diabetic retinopathy screening, annual hi resolution images are taken to check for retinal changes, in accident and emergency wounds are often photographed prior to cleaning and dressing so others can assess the need for surgery without exposing the wound needlessly. In dermatology, skin lesions are often imaged to compare results pre and post treatment.
Cameras used thus far have mostly been film based, ranging from Polaroid instant cameras (used extensively in emergency departments) to semi professional Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras for dermatology. As Trusts and the whole NHS change over to electronic records, the options for incorporating photographic images into a patients record involve either scanning images, or upgrading to digital cameras. Over the next few years, almost all trusts will move to the latter option as paper records begin to disappear.
So, what should you look for when procuring equipment for your Trust? Like most things in life, the answer is not that simple. There is a HUGE range of equipment being released onto the market, with new manufacturers coming onto the scene, as well as the established experts such as Fuji, Canon, Nikon, Minolta and Olympus all having digital offerings.
Before deciding which camera (and perhaps which manufacturer) is the best for you, it is important to establish the use of the camera. For high resolution close up images (eg. skin lesions in dermatology) you will need a different specification than for imaging wounds at the scene of an accident (where portability and ease of use may be as important as flexibility in changing lenses). Essentially there are two types of digital camera: compact and SLR (or SLR-like). We will look at the the basic specifications to look out for, and the healthcare settings each type of camera is most suited to.