THE ISSUE OF COMPETENCE IN COSMETIC SURGERY

The phenomenon of the worldwide boom in cosmetic surgery in general and cosmetic surgery in medical tourism in particular is fueled by the constant concern of people about their physical imperfections. Riding on this crest of popularity, individuals and institutions are constantly jockeying and positioning themselves to take advantage of the demands of the patient mass.

Oftentimes, one will find in the promotional materials (brochures, websites, etc.) of the cosmetic clinics and centers such catch phrase as: "Trained in the USA".

This brings into focus the issue of competence in cosmetic surgery. I frequently speak in hospital conferences and medical society conventions on the broad topic of Cosmetic Surgery. One that always generates plenty of to-and-fros is the issue of competence.

I break down this issue into: a) Cosmetic Surgery by Non-physicians, and b) Cosmetic Surgery by Non-surgeons.

Cosmetic surgery by non-physicians is outright illegal and falls under the category of serious physical assault. The Philippine Medical Act of 1959 is the law of the land concerning medical practice. The Act simply states that anytime one diagnoses and treats any illnesses, it constitutes medical practice. And, the only ones allowed to practice medicine are licensed physicians. To be licensed, one has to graduate from an accredited medical school and pass the Philippine Medical Board Examinations.

Diagnosis and treatment of warts, melasmas, eyebags, and of congenital deformities of the nose, breasts and buttocks constitute medical practice. Anytime the integrity of the skin is broken in the pursuit of corrections of blemishes and deformities, it is already medical practice.

And yet, how many shops do we see in malls and other business centers offering these practices - without a physician involved? We know of high-school level beauticians going around the country doing injections for nose, breast, buttocks, etc. These are clearly criminal acts, and therefore should be treated as such.

In the issue of Cosmetic Surgery by Non-surgeons: By definition, if one wants to do surgery he/she must be a surgeon. A lot of eyebrows are raised in professional and social circles regarding Doctor so and so offering and doing cosmetic surgery. Nothing illegal about this!

When one graduates from an accredited medical school, he/she earns the title "Physician-Surgeon". The Medical Act of 1959 does not distinguish special training in different specialties. There is no legal prohibition against a freshly licensed physician to open a clinic in any field of medicine, notwithstanding is/her training. For cosmetic surgery patients out there, it is "Buyers Beware". It is the patient's responsibility to check the particular physician's training and experience.

[On the next issue...What Does "Trained in the USA" Mean]