Is it permissible to take photographs of patients and show them at medical confe

[bamalli]

Is it permissible to take photographs of patients and show them at medical conferences?

Question:
In some medical cases, especially rare instances, some doctors want to take photographs of the patient and his body, or part of his body – such as the chest, back or legs – to use in teaching others about this. Is there anything wrong with doctors taking these pictures and showing them in conferences?

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

We put this question to Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-'Uthaymeen, may Allaah preserve him, who answered as follows:

If this is done with the knowledge of the patient and serves the interests of all, there is nothing wrong with it. But if it is done without the patent's consent, then it is not allowed.

Q: What if the sickness is located in the area of the thighs?

A: Then the private parts should be covered. And Allaah knows best.

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-'Uthaymeen