Future Physicians and Cosmetic Medical Interventions

Abstract

Abstract Background International Union of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons’ survey-2017 showed Turkey is the second country among others in terms of numbers of cosmetic medical interventions (CMI) in Europe and ranks ninth worldwide. Therefore future physicians’ (FT) perceptions are important on this topic as potential implementer and service user. Objective Objectives are: To examine FPs (interns) personal CMI experience; practiced/observed CMI; their attitude towards CMI and related factors. Methods Study is descriptive with 274 interns. Data collected by online survey contains 22 questions and acceptance of cosmetic surgery scale (ACSS) (Henderson and King, 2005). Findings Of the interns, 51.5% were female; 47.8% perceived good economic status; 40.5% had cosmetic-surgery training; 23.0% had CMI (laser on skin and teeth interventions mostly); 39.7% of these interventions were performed in private clinics while some of them are realized in beauty centers; body-perception was found (75.5%) the main motive of CMI. There was a strong relation between CMI and gender. Female interns constituted majority (p = 0.01). Respondents who had CMI had the highest scores of ACSS (p < 0,001). It was found that ACSS is positively related to positive familial and social environment (p = 0,007); negatively related with strong traditional (p = 0,005) and religious beliefs (p < 0,001); positively related with the given importance of body-perception (p = 0,015). Media effect was found important factor on ACSS scores (p < 0,001). Conclusions If the awareness of the quality, results, benefits and harms of CMIs is well established, it may be thought that there will be differences in attitude scale and less CMI performance. Therefore, it is necessary to constitute training programs on the different aspects of CMIs in medical curriculum. Key messages CMIs are not medically necessary and not a public-health issue and has economic burden. Awareness on the quality, results, benefits and harms of CMIs is should be well-clarified in the society.