Development of a Preoperative Psychological Screening Tool: Piloting the Cosmetic Readiness Questionnaire (Pilot-CRQ)

Patients with psychological risk factors such as body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and unmanaged mental health concerns are considered at higher risk for dissatisfaction with aesthetic procedures. Identifying these risks before a procedure may decrease the chance of adverse outcomes for patients and practitioners.

In this study we aimed to develop a comprehensive psychological screening tool to assess patient's psychological suitability for surgical and nonsurgical aesthetic procedures.

Items for the Pilot Cosmetic Readiness Questionnaire (CRQ) were developed by psychologists (n = 3) and then reviewed by plastic surgeons (n = 2) and nonsurgical cosmetic doctors (n = 3). Patient interviews (n = 15) and piloting of the questionnaire (n = 69) provided data regarding the scale's initial psychometric properties.

Results supported the reliability and validity of the Pilot-CRQ's subscales of Body Dysmorphia, Psychological Distress, Self-Criticism, Perfectionism, and Lack of Openness. Lack of Openness was a validity scale that examined the degree that respondents might be underreporting symptoms. The CRQ predicted individuals with a BDD diagnosis, as rated by a blinded expert clinical psychologist, with high sensitivity and specificity.

These results provide support for the Pilot-CRQ identifying people with BDD and psychological factors related to aesthetic treatment outcomes and provide a strong basis for employing the CRQ in clinical contexts and in future research.