National Medical Societies Announce New Coalition For Patient Safety In Cosmetic Medicine And Aesthetic Surgery
Main Category: Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic SurgeryArticle Date: 17 Jan 2011 - 1:00 PDT
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opinions'National Medical Societies Announce New Coalition For Patient Safety In Cosmetic Medicine And Aesthetic Surgery'
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Four nationally known medical societies announced today the formation of the Physicians Aesthetic Coalition, created to promote patient safety in cosmetic medicine and aesthetic surgery through public and physician education initiatives. The Coalition is a cooperative, multispecialty effort of The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), the American Society Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS).
"All of the organizations have active and successful patient safety initiatives. However, we feel that a unified voice representing more than 8,000 board certified physicians will further advance our goals of informing the public of patient safety issues and continuing patient safety educational efforts to all members" said Jonathan Sykes, MD, President of the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons (AAFPRS). "We look forward to working with our colleagues across specialties to increase patient safety for anyone considering cosmetic medicine or aesthetic surgery procedures".
"Along with the increasing popularity of aesthetic surgery and non-invasive cosmetic treatments an increasing and disturbing number of non-qualified clinicians and unproven treatments are being promoted to the public. This is a significant patient safety issue" said Felmont F. Eaves, III, MD, President of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). "Through the Coalition, we can address these issues on a stronger platform than we could individually, using credible medical evidence to help patients make informed decisions".
"One of the Coalition's founding principles is to develop educational forums for the public and media, transparent and free of commercial bias" said Jeffery S. Dover, MD, President of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS). "Over the next several months we will be announcing new resources to help differentiate fact from fiction".
"Nothing is more important to us, both as a medical society and as individual physicians, than keeping our patients safe" said Jeffrey A. Nerad, MD, President of the American Society for Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS). "We are hopeful that this new Coalition will help us in achieving this end".
Source:
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)
AAFPRS
American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS)
American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS)
Visit our cosmetic medicine / plastic surgery section for the latest news on this subject.
MLA
26 May. 2012. <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/213826.php>
APA
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/213826.php.
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posted by Debra Scott on 14 Jul 2011 at 10:29 amthis information should be considered critical to anyone considering plastic surgery or any aesthetic procedure for that matter. it is so quickly assumed that the general educated population understands the difference in the terms "cosmetic surgeon" and "plastic surgeon". as a nurse, for nearly 20 years, BSN trained, I didn't understand the difference until I professionally made a career change into the specialty of plastic surgery. this "assumed" understanding cannot be crushed quickly enough. the clarity should be shouted out to the average person over and over again. this information needs to be shared in more general publications for the "general" reader.
thank you for continuing to keep this information out there.
Interesting!
posted by Debbie on 19 Jan 2011 at 9:13 pmThat was most helpful! I was always wondering why cosmetic surgeons just didn't label themselves 'plastic surgeons'. It's quite clear now! Because they aren't. Thank you, Dr. Neavin.
Two questions you MUST ask your doctor
posted by Tim Neavin, M.D. on 17 Jan 2011 at 9:38 pmGreat article. It is true that while insurance companies and Medicare continue to cut back on reimbursements for physicians, more and more unqualified doctors are in many ways being forced to provide cosmetic services, which of course are out of pocket and typically pay much more than any insurance-based surgery. This in many ways dilutes the field of plastic surgery and leads to what the business people call 'brand erosion'. More importantly, it can be just simply unsafe for patients. Many doctors label themselves 'cosmetic surgeons', however there really is no such field in medicine for which a doctor trains.
Those who label themselves 'cosmetic surgeons' are often doctors in other fields doing aesthetic surgery, including non-surgical fields such as dermatology. While they may even go to lengths to call themselves 'Board Certified", a potential patient would want to ask their physician, 'Board Certified in what field of medicine?'. The answer may shock you. And if the answer is ‘Board Certified in Cosmetic Surgery’, it is important to recognize that this is not a plastic surgery credentialing Board. Members are often from other medical specialties, some that aren't even surgery specialties. Those who label themselves 'cosmetic surgeons' are often doctors in other fields doing plastic surgery. On the other hand, a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon has undergone enormous training and strict review among peers.
1. Be properly licensed as an MD or DO
2. Undergo training programs in prerequisite surgery in addition to specific training in the field of plastic surgery, a total of which ranges between 5 and 10 or more years in length following medical school
3. Limit his or her practice to the field of plastic surgery
4. Undergo rigorous written examinations, as well as a multi-day oral examination which includes examination of the physician's practice
5. Practice in accordance with the strict ethical codes established by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
6. Provide evidence of ongoing continuing education in the field of plastic surgery
The second question every patient must ask their potential surgeon is, 'Do you have privileges to do this surgery you are about to perform on me in a hospital?' If the answer is 'Yes", then verify that by calling the hospital. Why is this important? Hospitals (and their medical staff committee) are very strict in providing 'permission' for doctors to do surgical cases, and they generally won’t consider a physician to operate outside his or her field. Just as a hospital would find it unsafe and enormous liability for one of their plastic surgeons booking (and performing) a heart transplant case, they don't want a radiologist doing liposuction. And yes, radiologists have been known to call themselves 'Board Certified cosmetic surgeons" and perform liposuction. So be sure your doctor has privileges to do that SPECIFIC case. If he or she tells you that they do in a surgery center only? Think twice before booking.
Tim Neavin, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
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