Recently, many of our patients who are considering surgery have asked us why we do not share before and after photos of our patients on this page. Before answering this question, we need to know the detail that a person can change any photo they want as much as they want through various computer programs. Thinking / believing that every photo shared on social media or personal sites is real can cause our patients to be mistaken. Indeed, a bad surgical result can be marketed as a miracle in a computer environment.
So, sharing patient photos while this is the case...
Is it legal? Is it ethical? Is it right?
The answer to the first question is that sharing patient photos has been made free under the condition of complying with the rules in accordance with the "Regulation on Promotion and Information Activities in Healthcare Services", which was published in the Official Gazette dated July 29, 2023 and entered into force. The Turkish Medical Association, the Ministry of Health and the Advertising Competition Authority will inspect whether the posts made comply with the new regulation. If it is determined that the rules are not followed, penal sanctions will be applied.
Sharing a photo without permission from the patient is unethical. Under certain conditions, if the patient gives permission, there may not be an ethical problem
Laws may change over time, and the ethical dimension can be discussed in various environments. The real question we should ask is whether it is correct. Physicians are not tradesmen, but members of one of the oldest professions on earth who have devoted years to a sacred profession. For this reason, misleading, photoshopped posts made by people who see patients as 'customers' do not comply with the ethical principles of medicine, and are also considered a crime by law. Photos without effects (modification) for the purpose of informing the patient can be shared to a limited extent if the patient gives permission.
The limits for sharing patients' photos are set by law, and sharing within the rules is a personal choice.
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