Medical selfies can be a win-win for patient and treating doctor, Australian researchers say.

After a study in which patients took pictures of their rashes, wounds or surgical sites, researchers from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) said it was empowering and improved the doctor-patient relationship.

From the doctor’s point of view, it could be useful in management and reduce unnecessary consultations.

The two-part study involved interviews with 30 doctors, patients and carers across general practice, emergency and surgical care, plus a pilot trial, where 26 parents of children who had undergone laparoscopic appendicectomy emailed photos to their surgeons every two days to check healing.