GMC: Making and Using Visual and Audio Recordings of Patients: Summary

SJT Textbook: Making and Using Visual and Audio Recordings of Patients

GMC Visual and Audio Recordings of Patients

This GMC visual and audio recordings of patients guidance explains how doctors must obtain explicit consent, protect confidentiality, and store recordings securely for clinical and secondary use.

🎥 Video Lesson (YouTube)

🎧 Podcast Lesson (Spotify / Apple / Amazon)

🎯 THE CORE PRINCIPLE

Visual and audio recordings of patients (photographs, videos, audio clips) engage powerful issues of consent, privacy, dignity, and confidentiality. The GMC expects doctors to treat recordings with the same ethical and legal standards as written medical records. The default position is that patients must know what is being recorded, why it is being recorded, how it will be used, and who will have access to it.

Consent is central. Recordings made as a routine part of direct care (for example, X-rays or ultrasound images) usually do not need separate consent beyond consent to the investigation itself. However, any recording for secondary purposes such as teaching, training, research, publication, or media always requires specific, explicit consent.

In the MSRA SJT, high-scoring answers prioritise explicit consent, anonymisation where possible, secure storage, clear explanation of purpose, and immediate respect for a patient’s wish to stop or withdraw consent.

Under GMC visual and audio recordings of patients rules, consent must always come before recording.

⚡ HIGH-YIELD ACTIONS (What Scores Points)

1. Explain clearly why a recording is needed and how it will be used.
2. Obtain explicit consent for any recording beyond direct care.
3. Confirm consent is voluntary and can be withdrawn at any time.
4. Use anonymisation or coding for secondary use wherever possible.
5. Treat recordings as part of the medical record for confidentiality.
6. Store recordings securely in approved systems only.
7. Stop recording immediately if the patient withdraws consent.
8. Seek legal authority for recordings of adults who lack capacity.
9. Obtain parental responsibility consent for children who lack capacity.
10. Document the consent process and intended use clearly.

The GMC visual and audio recordings of patients guidance applies to photos, videos, and audio clips.

These traps minimise consent, misuse anonymisation, or justify inappropriate secondary use.

MSRA SJT commonly tests breaches of GMC visual and audio recordings of patients consent standards.

💬 MODEL PHRASES (Use These in SJT Logic)

* “The patient can withdraw consent at any time.”
* “This recording will be stored securely as part of the medical record.”
* “For teaching use, I must obtain specific consent.”
* “I will anonymise the recording wherever possible.”

R – Reason explained
E – Explicit consent
C – Confidential storage
O – Only agreed use
R – Right to withdraw
D – Document everything

Errors in GMC visual and audio recordings of patients often involve teaching use without consent.

📋 QUICK FAQ

Do all recordings require explicit consent?
No. Recordings integral to direct care may not need separate consent, but secondary uses always do. Can I use recordings for teaching if anonymised?
Only with valid consent for teaching, even if anonymised. What if a patient later withdraws consent?
You must stop using the recording and follow local policy on deletion where applicable. Are covert recordings ever allowed?
Only in exceptional circumstances to investigate serious crime or prevent serious harm, with legal authority. Does confidentiality apply after death?
Yes. The duty of confidentiality continues after death.

Secure storage is mandatory under GMC visual and audio recordings of patients guidance.

📚 GMC ANCHOR POINTS

• Consent for recordings – Making and Using Visual and Audio Recordings of Patients
• Confidentiality – Good Medical Practice
• Adults lacking capacity – Mental Capacity framework
• Children and consent – 0–18 Years Guidance
• Secure information handling – Confidentiality Guidance

💡 MINI PRACTICE SCENARIO

A registrar wants to video-record a patient examination for teaching junior doctors. Best action: Obtain explicit consent explaining the purpose and future use before recording. Why: Teaching is a secondary purpose and always requires explicit consent.

🎯 KEY TAKEAWAYS

✓ Consent must be explicit for secondary use
✓ Patients can withdraw consent at any time
✓ Anonymisation is preferred but not a substitute for consent
✓ Secure storage is mandatory
✓ Covert recording is exceptional and legally restricted
✓ Confidentiality continues after death

🔗 RELATED TOPICS

* → Confidentiality and Data Protection
* → Decision Making and Consent
* → Children and Young People
* → Capacity and Best Interests
* → Use of Social Media

📖 FULL PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Example SJT — Best of 3 (8 options; choose three)

You plan to photograph a skin lesion for teaching purposes.

Options:
A. Explain the purpose and obtain explicit consent
B. Take the photo quickly to save time
C. Anonymise the image where possible
D. Store it on your personal phone
E. Use it freely once anonymised
F. Inform the patient they can withdraw consent
G. Assume consent because it is educational
H. Share it on a closed teaching group without consent

Example SJT — Rank 5 (best → worst)

A patient agrees to be recorded for training but later becomes uncomfortable.

Options:
A. Stop recording immediately
B. Reassure and continue recording
C. Ask why and respect their decision
D. Explain they already consented
E. Ignore the request