Medical Societies Announce Coalition for Patient Safety in Cosmetic Medicine and Aesthetic Surgery

New York, NY – 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.”

About ASAPS
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), is recognized as the world’s leading organization devoted entirely to aesthetic plastic surgery and cosmetic medicine of the face and body. ASAPS is comprised of over 2,600 Plastic Surgeons; active members are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (USA) or by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and are fully trained in the complete spectrum of surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures; international active members are certified by equivalentboards of their respective countries. All members worldwide adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and must meet stringent membership requirements. Website: http://www.surgery.org.

About AAFPRS
The AAFPRS is the world’s largest association of facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons with more than 2,700 members – whose cosmetic and reconstructive surgery focuses on the face, head and neck. The AAFPRS fellows and members are board certified and subscribe to a code of ethics. In addition, the AAFPRS provides consumers with free information and brochures and a list of qualified facial plastic surgeons in any area by visiting the AAFPRS web site, http://www.facemd.org.

About ASOPRS
The American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) was founded in 1969 to establish a qualified body of surgeons who have training and experience in this highly specialized field. The purpose of ASOPRS is to advance education, research and the quality of clinical practice in the fields of aesthetic and reconstructive surgery specializing in the eyelids, orbits, lacrimal system and face. The Society has over 580 national and international members. Website: http://www.asoprs.org

About ASDS
With 5,400 members, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) is the largest specialty organization exclusively representing board-certified dermatologic surgeons who have unique training and experience to treat the health, function and beauty of skin. ASDS members not only lead the field of specialists in the treatment of skin cancer, but also are the premier specialty group trained to treat skin and soft tissue in both medically necessary and cosmetic surgical and non-surgical methods. Visit their website: http://www.asds.net.

Source: ASAPS

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