COMPLICATIONS FROM THE NON-PHYSICIAN PRACTICE OF MEDICINE

COMPLICATIONS FROM THE NON-PHYSICIAN PRACTICE OF MEDICINE
American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
930 N. Meacham Rd.
Schaumburg, IL 60173-4965
847-330-9830
fax: 847-330-1133
ksvedman@asds.net

The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) has become
increasingly concerned about the proliferation of non-physicians
practicing medicine and its impact on patient safety. Due to an alarming
increase in the number of patient complications seen over the past year
as a result of this trend, the ASDS is launching a patient safety and media
information campaign.
In a recent survey of the Societỳs 2,400 members regarding the prevalence
of non-physicians practicing medicine, approximately 45% of respondents
indicated an increase in the number of patients requesting treatment for
complications such as burns, splotching, irreversible pigmentation or
scarring due to:
Ô Laser or light-based hair removal
Ô Chemical peeling
Ô Microdermabrasion
Ô Microdermabrasion and chemical peel combinations
Ô Non-ablative, sub-surface laser and light-based skin rejuvenation
Ô Misdiagnosis and delayed treatment of rosacea
These types of complications are represented in the
following photographs.
Complications may occur in the best of circumstances. However, they
are happening in two primary arenas:
1) individuals, such as cosmetologists and estheticians, who perform
increasingly aggressive, invasive procedures without direct physician
supervision; and
2) employees of physicians, who perform procedures outside their scope
of training (e.g. laser and light-based surgeries, combination peels,
botulinum toxin, filler substances) with inadequate or no direct
physician supervision.
These individuals are not qualified or trained to diagnose skin conditions,
perform these procedures and manage these resulting complications.
Moreover, patients who are treated by non-physician personnel for
cosmetic dermatologic services are deprived of correct diagnosis and
treatment of skin diseases, most notably skin cancers.
ASDS urges consumers to be aware that cosmetic procedures entailing
conventional lasers, non-ablative or subsurface lasers and light sources,
chemical peels, soft tissue fillers and microdermabrasion are surgical
procedures that can be invasive, carry potential side effects and should
be performed by a qualified physician.
For more information or to receive copies of the Societỳs position
statements on this subject, please contact the ASDS Executive Director,
Katherine J. Svedman at 847-330-9830 or visit the ASDS web site at
www.aboutskinsurgery.com.

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