Consent and Identifiability for Patient Images in Research, Education, and Image-Based Artificial Intelligence

Consent and Identifiability for Patient Images in Research, Education, and Image-Based Artificial Intelligence
Research Letter
Trina Salvador, Lilly Gu, Jennifer L. Hay, Nicholas R. Kurtansky, Ruth Masterson-Creber, Allan C. Halpern, Veronica Rotemberg
JAMA Dermatology, 13 March 2024
Abstract
Increasing use of imaging for research, education, and development of image-based artificial intelligence (AI) is parallel to increasing concerns about confidentiality and autonomy. Regulatory requirements for collecting and processing personal information vary geographically, but even the most stringent legal guidelines do not require informed consent for sharing of deidentified data. Despite widespread use of imaging in dermatology and portability of digital image formats that enable both rapid intentional and inadvertent image sharing, information about attitudes and preferences on consent and identifiability are limited. Consequently, processes for obtaining informed consent are not standardized across clinical practices and research journals.4 To inform practices for protecting privacy, we performed a survey study to elucidate perspectives on image use, consent, and identifiability.