Are you considering plastic surgery? The good news for you is that choosing a plastic surgeon just became a whole lot easier, and that’s because the use of the “Plastic Surgeon” title just became a lot more regulated.
This morning, Australian health ministers have announced changes to the National Law so that doctors will not be able to call themselves a surgeon if they have not completed Australian surgical training. That might sound obvious, but the regulations around use of the “Surgeon” title in Australia have been a little more relaxed than you might imagine in recent years.
This is why you may have come across doctors performing plastic surgery under the title of “Cosmetic Surgeon” as opposed to “Specialist Plastic Surgeon”.
So, what has been the striking difference between the two titles?
A Specialist Plastic Surgeon refers to highly trained personnel in Australia who have been specifically trained to perform cosmetic and plastic surgery. To be worthy of this title, their qualifications MUST include:
- Six years of medical training plus eight to twelve years of specialist training in surgery and reconstruction
- Training by the Australiasian College of Surgeons (RACS)
- Recognition from the Australian Medical Council as a Specialist Plastic Surgeon
- Recognised and qualified skills in reconstruction and surgery
Up until now, a doctor who does not possess these qualifications could still refer to themself as a “Cosmetic Surgeon”. These doctors have still completed their initial six years of medical training, but without the additional eight to twelve years of speciality surgery training.
But as of today, health ministers collectively have agreed to protect the surgeon title. Doctors can still perform surgery with their six years of medical training, but they cannot do so under the misleading “Cosmetic Surgeon” title.
What does this mean for you?
When searching for a surgeon you can trust to perform your life changing procedure, if their title contains “Surgeon” you can be assured they have completed an additional 8+ years of study to ensure their work is immaculate, and safe!
Dr Andrew Broadhurst is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon who has completed a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), is Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS Plast.) and is Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons.
The new regulations around the surgeon title are a huge win for future plastic surgery patients who deserve this level of dedication.
Ready to start your surgical journey to a more confident you? You can reach out to our practice with any questions today.
