Beauty versus medicine: the nonphysician practice of dermatologic surgery

This investigation was initiated because of a growing concern by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery about the proliferation of nonphysicians practicing medicine and its impact on public health, safety, and welfare.

Prompted by an alarming rise in anecdotal reports among dermatologic surgeons, the study sought to determine whether there was a significant increase in the number of patients seeking corrective treatment due to complications from laser and light-based hair removal, subsurface laser/light rejuvenation techniques, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, injectables, and other cosmetic medical/surgical procedures performed by nonphysicians without adequate training or supervision.

A survey of 2,400 American Society for Dermatologic Surgery members in July 2001 and in-depth phone interviews with eight patients who experienced complications from nonphysicians performing cosmetic dermatologic surgery procedures were conducted.

Survey data and qualitative research results attributed patient complications primarily to "nonphysician operators" such as cosmetic technicians, estheticians, and employees of medical/dental professionals who performed various invasive medical procedures outside of their scope of training or with inadequate or no physician supervision.

The results underscore the need for improved awareness, legislation, and enforcement regarding the nonphysician practice of medicine, along with further study of this issue.