Johann Umschaden, medical director of the Schwarzl-Klinik Laßnitzhöhe, Austria, specialist in plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, is director of the Standardization Committee of the Austrian Standards Institute: http://oesterreich.orf.at/stories/496167/
Although every initiative that aims at quality assurance is desirable, this goes too far.
- All alleged deficiencies in the Austrian system are clearly are regulated by both the Ministry of Health and the Austrian Medical Council!
- Should plastic surgeons determine which surgery which is operated by what doctor?
The proposed standards can be seen at: http://www.plastischechirurgie.org/upload/files/2561_guidelines-version-1.06.pdf
Excerpts: ÖGPÄRC
Austrian Society of Plastic Reconstructive Aesthetic Surgeons – Workgroup Aesthetic Surgery
BOTULINUM TOXIN / FILLERS: medical specialty
Specialist in plastic surgery
Specialist in Ophthalmology
Dermatologist
Specialist in Maxofacial Surgery
LASER / LASER RESURFACING: medical specialty
Specialist in plastic surgery
Dermatologist
BLEPHAROPLASTY: medical specialty
Specialist in plastic surgery
Specialist in Ophthalmology
RHINOPLASTY: medical specialty
Specialist in plastic surgery
Specialist ENT
OTOPLASTY: medical specialty
Specialist in plastic surgery
ENT specialist
FACELIFT: medical specialty
Specialist in plastic surgery
BREASTAUGMENTATION: medical specialty
Specialist in plastic surgery
MASTOPEXY: medical specialty
Specialist in plastic surgery
BRACHIOPLASTY: medical specialty
Specialist in plastic surgery
ABDOMINOPLASTY / THIGH LIFT: medical specialty
Specialist in plastic surgery
General Surgery
LIPOSUCTION: medical specialty
Specialist in plastic surgery
Dermatologist
LIPOTRANSFER: medical specialty
Specialist in plastic surgery
Dermatologist
Almost all interventions are to be performed in an "officially approved operating room", that means, for example in Austria only in hospitals or institutions! Who has a private clinic or ambulatory surgical clinic? That question is regulated by the Austrian Medical Board clearly and sufficiently! See:http://www.aerztekammer.at/service/OP_Sicherheits_Checkliste_Austria_Zusatzinfos_new.pdf
Dear Maxillofacial Surgeon!
If the Guidelines of the ÖGPÄRC become European guidelines (CEN), it is only a matter of time until they have consequences in Austria also! For example, liability insurance, etc. You may, unfortunately, only perform "BOTULINUM TOXIN / FALTENFILLER. No blepharoplasty, no rhinoplasty, no lift, no otoplasty. Who should operate in the face?! From whom should we learn facial surgery? I don't believe from the plastic surgeons!
Dear Otolaryngologist!
In the future you may perform rhinoplasty and otoplasty, but unfortunately, nothing else!
Dear Ophthalmologist!
In the future you may perform "BOTULINUM TOXIN / FILLERS" and "blepharoplasty"!
Dear General Surgeon!
You may only carry out "ABDOMINOPLASTY / THIGH LIFT"! Otherwise there is apparently a lack of skills!
Dear dermatologist!
You can do quite a lot! "BOTULINUM TOXIN / FILLERS, LASER / LASER RESURFACING, liposuction, autologous fat transfer"
Dear gynaecologist!
You have fallen completely through the grate! Although there are many gynaecological surgery centers for breast surgery, hands off! Also, stomach and thighs are taboo. Labiaplasty?
Dear General Practitioner!
In future you should not even take a syringe in your hand!
Dear plastic surgeon!
You are the only speciality that may operate everything in the future! Did you learn this at university? Please do not perform these operations unless you have had proper training! Otherwise, we will soon have American circumstances, where plastic surgeons are cited in numerous publications as the "specialist with the most complications" in aesthetic medicine! This development is not worthy of your esteemed specialityl!
The Austrian Medical Association: "The Austrian Standards Institute has no right to create any standards in medicine."
The Health Ministry also opposes such initiatives!
It therefore appears that we are well off in Austria. But if another EU country enforces these standards as CEN in Brussels, the consequences are the same!
What does your professional society say? What do you do say?
Not only due to this threatening scenario for many non- Plastic Surgeons, we should point out that we have founded, the World Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (WAOCS) last year. The WAOCS is an international and in particular an interdisciplinary platform, promoting continuing education, training, and the establishment of quality standards in cosmetic surgery. We also believe that an interdisciplinary cosmetic surgery society is now more important than ever. We also wish to stress that plastic surgeons also belong to this Academy, and they are also very welcome in the future.
Join the World Academy of Cosmetic Surgery! Together we are strong!
www.waocs.org