Moves To Protect Canadians From Unqualified 'Cosmetic Surgeons'

Editor's Choice
Main Category: Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery
Also Included In: Medical Malpractice / Litigation;  Regulatory Affairs / Drug Approvals
Article Date: 11 Apr 2008 - 11:00 PDT

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At the moment in Canada a General Practitioner can advertise himself/herself as a cosmetic surgeon, even though he/she is not a certified surgeon - two new rules changes have been approved by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) which stop this. The new rule changes will make it much more likely that a patient who wants cosmetic surgery with a trained professional will be able to do so.

A growing number of health care professionals in Canada, especially family doctors, have been calling themselves cosmetic 'surgeons' and carrying out such procedures as liposuctions and breast enlargements, even though they have had no surgical training.

The rule change does not ban doctors from carrying out the procedures. It just prohibits untrained or uncertified doctors (who are not surgeons) from promoting themselves as surgeons - they will not be allowed to use the word 'surgeon' in their title.

Preston Zuliani, President, CPSO, said "There is actually no such term as cosmetic surgery. That is a term that has been made up."

Before becoming law, the provincial government will have to approve the rule changes.

The changes will -

1. Prohibit doctors who are not formally certified as surgeons from advertising themselves as such.

2. Prohibit doctors from advertising themselves as practitioners of medical specializations if they have not been accredited for that (those) specialization(s).

In 2007 Krista Stryland, a real estate agent, died after having liposuction treatment with a GP (General Practitioner) who was not trained in liposuction. The tragic events hit the headlines in Canada.

The aim of the rule changes is to give Canadians better information so that they can then decide for themselves whether they would prefer to have cosmetic 'surgery' with a surgeon or a doctor who is not a surgeon.

Policies - College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario

Written by - Christian Nordqvist
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