How a lack of visual fidelity in patient-generated images risks compromising care

The Lancet Primary Care 2026 Open access

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Authors: Rebecca Payne, Alexander Woywodt, Zengbo Wang, Ulrik Bak Kirk, Mike Brady, Manohar Joishy, Katherine King, Adam Mahdi, Anette Fischer Pedersen, Linda Huibers
DOI: 10.1016/j.lanprc.2026.100120
Cited by: 3
References: 8

Abstract

Internationally, contemporary primary care is reliant on digital visual information, often generated by the patient through the use of their smartphone. Primary care physicians and their teams routinely use the visual information obtained via video call or patient-uploaded images provided to make diagnoses, assess responses to treatment, and make decisions about onward referral. Yet, smartphones are not clinical instruments, and patient-generated images and video streams do not always provide a true clinical picture.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Digital Imaging in Medicine Mental Health and Patient Involvement Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation

Publication details

Journal / source
The Lancet Primary Care
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Volume
2
Issue
4
Pages
100120–100120
Publication date
25 February 2026
Language
EN