BEST Practice

How to make patients aware that you are a safe, qualified practitioner

DR AAMER KHAN

Dr Aamer Khan, a medical doctor who has practised for nearly 30 years, graduated from the highly respected University of Birmingham in 1986, having studied a variety of specialities including Human Psychology, Psychiatry, Surgery and Dermatology. Dr Khan continues to make bounds in the arena of cosmetic treatment, recently being recognised by the British Armed Forces for his reconstructive f inesse.

Currently, practitioners offering aesthetic treatments like toxins, fillers, and many other treatments in the UK aren’t legally required to have any qualifications or training,1 sparking an alarming rise in unsafe procedures.

With 11% of the UK population having an aesthetic treatment in the last year alone,2 it is important for patients to know what they should be considering when choosing a practitioner to ensure they can receive safe and quality treatment.

Many people are surprised to discover the limited regulations required for some cosmetic procedures in the UK. The fact that products like toxin and filler can be administered by anyone regardless of qualification is undoubtedly worrying.

Many people are unaware of the harm that can be caused if procedures like this are done incorrectly. Those carrying out aesthetic work should understand the anatomy of the face, the impact different products will have and the possible side effects.

While regulation remains loose, those looking to undergo cosmetic work should educate themselves of the signs of a good practitioner to ensure they’re in safe hands.

PRACTITIONER RED FLAGS

No credentials, formal training or not qualified: First and foremost for a safe and desired result, the practitioner must hold relevant qualifications. As a qualified medic, you will have an understanding of your patients’ anatomy, the products being used and the importance of hygiene, as well as having undergone appropriate training.

Very low prices: While super-low prices can be tempting to patients, especially during current economic conditions, these can often be a warning sign. Low prices can signal inadequate or even fake products. High-quality filler and other cosmetic products need lots of investment to ensure the product is safe and of a high standard which drives up the product price. Low procedure prices could be a reflection of poor products.

The ability to offer such low prices could signal that the practitioner has cut corners when it comes to training, hygiene or safety to offer such cheap services, so know your worth.

Pressurised sales technique: Any trusted and reputable practitioner will want to ensure that the patient is happy with the procedures they intend to purchase. They will be cautious to ensure the patient understands the product, the procedure and how it will affect their appearance. Pressurised selling is a sign that the practitioner in question doesn’t care for their patient or the outcome of the work they do. Don’t push patients to invest in treatments before they are comfortable.

No consultation, consent forms or formal documentation: In order to ensure they have the patients’ absolute consent, understand their needs and that they are aware of any side effects, a good practitioner will always undertake a thorough consultation and ensure the patient fills out various forms of documentation. Ask patients to register their details, their medical history, any medications, skincare usage, and lastly ask them to sign a consent waiver. If a practitioner doesn’t ask for any of these, rushes patients to commit to a procedure with little knowledge, and doesn’t question their health background, this is a huge red flag. A practitioner should also offer follow-up appointments to review the procedure and be easily contactable should the patient need anything further.

Say yes to everything: An expert practitioner will always offer their expertise and input when discussing potential procedures. They may suggest alternatives, ask follow-up questions or even flat out refuse to do a procedure. This is a sign that they care about the outcome of their work, the patients’ satisfaction and most importantly patient safety. Patients should be aware that, if a practitioner will happily administer any procedure without question, this can be a sign they aren’t the best choice.

Unable to answer questions: A practitioner should have plenty of knowledge of the procedures they are offering. They should be able to confidently answer any questions and be happy to discuss any concerns the patient may have.

The patient should feel confident in the procedure they wish to undertake and confident in the abilities of the practitioner who will be administering it.

Unorganised, dirty space: A clean, organised and tidy space is a sign of a trusted practitioner. The space in which patients receive their treatment must be hygienic in order to preserve safety, so this is a vital sign. As a practitioner, you should wear appropriate protective clothing, including gloves, and pay attention to personal hygiene. When it comes to the space, keep surfaces clean and tidy, dispose of rubbish correctly and have disposable coverings on furniture.

No reviews, edited imagery and lack of case studies: A reputable practitioner will have plenty of reviews and case studies of previous patients where you can see examples of their work and read the experiences of others. One key thing patients should look out for are unedited images; those who are doing quality aesthetic work shouldn’t feel the need to edit imagery or videos to promote themselves.

As long as patients educate themselves on the differences between a good and bad practitioner, they should be able to undergo any procedures with confidence. The main thing to consider above all should be qualifications and training. Sadly this isn’t a requirement under law currently, but pressure is mounting on the government to make changes to this.