A National Survey of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons' Experience With Mandatory Body Dysmorphic Disorder Screening in...

In 2023, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency introduced mandatory psychological screening for cosmetic surgery patients with the aim of preoperatively identify individuals with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).

This study assessed the impact of mandatory psychological screening tools on Australian plastic surgeons' practices. It evaluated surgeon confidence in screening tools, referral and diagnosis rates, and the range of specific screening tools used.

A 12-question electronic survey was distributed to members of the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons and the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed to summarize the results.

One hundred and thirty-six responses were received (27% response rate). Most respondents (81%) were male, with an average of 17 years of practice experience. The majority (84%) referred <5% of patients for psychological assessment, and 70% reported having no cases of BDD in the past year. Confidence in screening tools was low, with an average rating of 3.2/10 for both accuracy and utility. Only 30% of surgeons indicated they would continue using screening if it were not mandatory. A wide variety of screening tools were reported, with significant variability between them.

The low rates of referral for psychological assessment and BDD diagnosis rates indicate a potential discrepancy between screening tool outcomes and expected prevalence rates of the current literature. Standardization and validation of screening tools are needed to enhance confidence in their accuracy and utility. Further research is necessary to assess the long-term impact of mandatory screening tool use in cosmetic surgery.

5 (Therapeutic).