Aesthetic Medical Practitioner #35
From the Editor
Calls for change in the cosmetic surgery industry have been echoing for decades, but meaningful change has proven elusive – until now.
All eyes have been on Australia for the past 2+ years as attention-grabbing media headlines investigating the shocking practices of a handful of ‘cosmetic cowboys’ have instigated a renewed and forceful push for increased regulation in the sector. The reform package by the Medical Board of Australia and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency promises to raise standards and increase safety measures for patients in order to ‘prioritise patient safety over vested interest’.
While the controversial ‘endorsement model’ is still awaiting introduction, new practice guidelines and advertising requirements came into effect on 1 July 2023. We asked doctors from across the country how they have implemented the tougher guidelines, including mandatory GP referral, stricter consenting process and screenings. Turn to page 46 to read how these extra measures have affected their practice and what longer-term impact they anticipate. Plus, on the back of the new guidelines, Dr Gabrielle Caswell reviews what is required for ‘good medical practice’ (page 62) and Dr David Kosenko outlines the new guidelines for telehealth (page 60), which came into effect on 1 September 2023.
While the framework in which cosmetic surgery is performed is changing, so too are long-held Western standards of beauty.
Our feature, ‘The changing face of cosmetic surgery: beyond the Western ideal’ (page 38), examines a new review of the literature which confirms cultural and ethnic backgrounds play a decisive role in an individual’s perception of beauty and their desired results from cosmetic procedures.
As aesthetic ideals continue to evolve and become more diverse, bespoke treatment planning and advanced treatment modalities become even more pivotal. As such, we are proud to partner with so many of our industry’s leading medical device and technology companies. From page 74, you can find comprehensive information on the latest products and services available, plus our Best Practice section (from page 60) includes advice on how to elevate treatment planning and the patient experience.
We hope you enjoy this issue, and don’t forget to sign up for our fortnightly AMP newsletter at aestheticmedicalpractitioner.com.au to keep at the forefront of what’s happening in our ever-evolving industry.
Michelle Kearney
Editor in Chief
michelle@bellamedia
