Stop nonconsually taking photographs of clients who are unaware the photo is being taken in the first place
fix in progress
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Rebecca Mercurio
I am reaching out to voice concern about the photograph that is taken of clients when they check into the waiting room. They are unaware it is being taken, which is inherently problematic. Today a client checked in right after she'd just showered and was not yet dressed for the session. Upon checking in, she immediately sent me an IM via Doxy to tell me she'd be ready in just a minute (she needed to get dressed!) and would let me know when to start the call, and by doing so she saw in the message box the photo/avatar that was taken of her in just her bath towel, which she voiced her discomfort with. I'm writing to advocate for her and to request that Doxy changes their standard practice either by 1) no longer taking a photo of a client upon check in, or 2) giving the client an alert prior to taking any photo and asking for consent prior to the photo being taken. Thank you for your consideration to this important and sensitive matter.
Log In
John Swinnie
Thanks for your feedback about the current patient check-in experience. We're prioritizing improvements and would like your input.
Help shape the improved patient check-in experience
Canny AI
Merged in a post:
Stop taking photos of clients without their knowledge or consent
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Rebecca Mercurio
Over a year ago, I submitted feedback about the photo of clients that is taken without their knowledge or consent. I have had many clients over the four plus years I've used Doxy express their discomfort at suddenly seeing a photo of themselves, that they didn't know was taken, when the photo pops up on their screen when their video turns off, etc.
When I submitted my feedback on this page 15 months ago, it was prompted because of a photo of a client that was taken while she was in a physically vulnerable position (in a bath towel after her shower, logging in to message me she was running a few minutes late and not having yet changed clothes for the start of the session).
I've since had a client note she was glad she wasn't latching her infant to breastfeed her child when the photo of her was taken.
At that time, fifteen months ago, Doxy representatives reached out to me personally and were clear that they were taking this issue seriously and that this "feature" would change -- either by eliminating the photos altogether (my strong preference) or by alerting the clients before the photo is taken.
My previous post is now 15 months old, it has since been upvoted 252 times, and yet it is still marked "fix in progress." The recent Doxy update just rolled out, even, and still, no change. Clients continue to have their photo taken, unaware and without their consent. I am now beginning to seriously consider switching telehealth platforms because of this sole issue.
John Swinnie
fix in progress
John Swinnie
Merged in a post:
A warning you're about to take a person's photo
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Heather Nawrocki-Cote
John Swinnie
Thanks for your feedback about the current patient check-in experience. We're prioritizing improvements and would like your input.
Help shape the improved patient check-in experience
John Swinnie
Merged in a post:
Picture Warning - Consent to Take Picture
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wicreceptionist@fpca.net
The patients are unaware that their picture is about to be taken sometimes and unfortunately some patients are also not decent while getting ready for their appointments and we have seen some patients a lot more than we've wanted to.
John Swinnie
Merged in a post:
should be no photo taken without alert and permission!!!
Ingrid Conway
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Bryan Zitzman
research & development
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Bryan Zitzman
Thank you for taking the time to share this experience with us in such a helpful and professional way. We're very sorry this happened and for the uncomfortable position it put your client in, especially right before her session with you.
We also know this feature is quite helpful to providers for many reasons (e.g., it's evidence the client's camera is working, gives visual recognition of the client before the call begins, provides a photo of the client if their video is turned off). Still, we agree with you that it can be improved in ways that will not only provide a better experience for the client, but will also result in better quality photos.
Again, thank you for taking the time to advocate for your client. It validates some ideas we were already working on. And it will likely move up the timeline for this work.