If Clinics Install Surveillance Cameras, Medical Association Plans to Strengthen Informed Consent Within One Month
In response to recent hidden camera incidents, Taiwan's National Medical Association plans to reinforce informed consent for patients within one month if clinics install surveillance cameras in treatment areas, aiming to balance patient privacy protection and medical safety.
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- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 19:52
- 🔍 Collected: May 8, 2026 at 20:01 (9 min after Published)
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Tseng Yi-ning, Taipei, 8th) The controversy surrounding suspected secret filming in medical aesthetics clinics continues to spread. Chen Hsiang-kuo, chairman of the National Federation of Medical Associations, said today that in the past, many clinics installed surveillance cameras in work areas for self-protection due to unfamiliarity with regulations. He plans to remind medical institutions within one month that patient informed consent is required for video recording.
The Ailily Clinic in Banqiao was recently found to have a suspected pinhole camera hidden in a smoke detector, an incident that triggered a chain reaction, with New Taipei City police also receiving reports of other medical aesthetics clinics suspected of secret filming.
Hsu Che-hao, deputy secretary-general of the Taiwan Society of Aesthetic Medicine, said in a media interview today that most clinics install surveillance cameras at the counter and in waiting areas. If someone loses an item or slips and falls, the surveillance footage can be reviewed to clarify the situation. As for spaces for treating private parts or private hair removal, these are always separated by curtains.
"How to strike a balance between patient safety and privacy is most important," Hsu Che-hao said. He noted that if surveillance cameras are installed in consultation rooms, it is mostly in anticipation of needing evidence in cases of medical disputes, clinic violence, or sexual harassment, as some installations are not for secret filming. However, because legal regulations require informing patients, "there is a gray area." The National Federation of Medical Associations is discussing relevant approaches, and a consensus is expected soon.
Chen Hsiang-kuo, chairman of the National Federation of Medical Associations of the Republic of China, explained that in the past, physicians might have been less familiar with regulations and lacked the concept of obtaining patient informed consent. Therefore, many medical institutions now place general surveillance cameras in consultation rooms to prevent medical disputes or medical violence and to preserve evidence.
Chen Hsiang-kuo stated that surveillance cameras in medical institutions are mostly installed in entry and exit areas, such as doorways, waiting areas, within reception counters, and consultation rooms. However, they are not installed in spaces for private examinations, such as areas for endoscopy or ultrasound, or in operating rooms and treatment areas.
Article 72 of the Medical Care Act stipulates that patient medical conditions or health information shall not be disclosed without due cause. The 'Regulations for the Protection of Medical Privacy in Medical Institutions' stipulate that if both medical personnel and patients need to record or video during the consultation process, the consent of the other party must first be obtained.
Chen Hsiang-kuo said that he will discuss with the legal committee and consultant lawyers to provide a unified statement to clinics, reminding them that if they wish to record video in consultation rooms in the future, they should post a prominent notice. However, if the public objects to recording, the recording equipment should be turned off. (Editor: Huang Ming-hsi) 1150508
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(Central News Agency reporter Tseng Yi-ning, Taipei, 8th) The controversy surrounding suspected secret filming in medical aesthetics clinics continues to spread. Chen Hsiang-kuo, chairman of the National Federation of Medical Associations, said today that in the past, many clinics installed surveillance cameras in work areas for self-protection due to unfamiliarity with regulations. He plans to remind medical institutions within one month that patient informed consent is required for video recording.
The Ailily Clinic in Banqiao was recently found to have a suspected pinhole camera hidden in a smoke detector, an incident that triggered a chain reaction, with New Taipei City police also receiving reports of other medical aesthetics clinics suspected of secret filming.
Hsu Che-hao, deputy secretary-general of the Taiwan Society of Aesthetic Medicine, said in a media interview today that most clinics install surveillance cameras at the counter and in waiting areas. If someone loses an item or slips and falls, the surveillance footage can be reviewed to clarify the situation. As for spaces for treating private parts or private hair removal, these are always separated by curtains.
"How to strike a balance between patient safety and privacy is most important," Hsu Che-hao said. He noted that if surveillance cameras are installed in consultation rooms, it is mostly in anticipation of needing evidence in cases of medical disputes, clinic violence, or sexual harassment, as some installations are not for secret filming. However, because legal regulations require informing patients, "there is a gray area." The National Federation of Medical Associations is discussing relevant approaches, and a consensus is expected soon.
Chen Hsiang-kuo, chairman of the National Federation of Medical Associations of the Republic of China, explained that in the past, physicians might have been less familiar with regulations and lacked the concept of obtaining patient informed consent. Therefore, many medical institutions now place general surveillance cameras in consultation rooms to prevent medical disputes or medical violence and to preserve evidence.
Chen Hsiang-kuo stated that surveillance cameras in medical institutions are mostly installed in entry and exit areas, such as doorways, waiting areas, within reception counters, and consultation rooms. However, they are not installed in spaces for private examinations, such as areas for endoscopy or ultrasound, or in operating rooms and treatment areas.
Article 72 of the Medical Care Act stipulates that patient medical conditions or health information shall not be disclosed without due cause. The 'Regulations for the Protection of Medical Privacy in Medical Institutions' stipulate that if both medical personnel and patients need to record or video during the consultation process, the consent of the other party must first be obtained.
Chen Hsiang-kuo said that he will discuss with the legal committee and consultant lawyers to provide a unified statement to clinics, reminding them that if they wish to record video in consultation rooms in the future, they should post a prominent notice. However, if the public objects to recording, the recording equipment should be turned off. (Editor: Huang Ming-hsi) 1150508
Choose to stand with facts; every donation is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and audio/video content of this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.
Keywords: