International Briefs

Abstract

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) and the Medical Board of Australia have announced a review of patient safety issues in Australia’s cosmetic sector, including how to strengthen risk-based regulation of practitioners in the industry.In a news release, the two organizations noted that cosmetic surgery has rapidly grown as a multimillion-dollar entrepreneurial industry in Australia, giving rise to “practices and marketing methods by some registered health practitioners which raise significant patient safety concerns.”The goal of the review is to ensure that Australia’s regulatory approach “keeps pace with rapid changes in the cosmetic surgery industry,” and to make recommendations about actions that will better protect the public — including how the reporting and safety culture of cosmetic surgery can be improved.Because state and territorial health authorities in Australia have a major regulatory role in licensing the facilities in which cosmetic surgery is performed, the review will also seek to improve communication and cooperation between various agencies involved in Australia’s current system of checks and balances in cosmetic practice.“Some worrying features of the cosmetic industry set it apart from conventional medical practice, including corporate business models which are alleged to place profit over patient safety, no medical need for cosmetic procedures, limited factual information for consumers and exponential growth in social media that emphasizes benefits and downplays risks,” said Ahpra CEO Martin Fletcher.The review will consider the current risk-based regulatory framework of Ahpra and national medical boards, including the current codes of conduct, the notifications and investigations protocols and management of advertising offenses related to cosmetic surgery.“This review will ensure that the specific regulatory responsibilities of Ahpra and national boards are effectively protecting the public in our part of the regulatory system for cosmetic surgery,” Mr. Fletcher said.Dr. Anne Tonkin, Chair of the Medical Board of Australia, expressed concern about a weak culture of safety and reporting for cosmetic surgery in Australia.“It’s a very good thing that there are doctors, nurses and other health professionals who are picking up the pieces when patients’ cosmetic procedures go wrong,” she said. “But to keep patients safe, we really need to understand why these practitioners are not always sharing their patient safety concerns with us in a timely way.”A report about the review is expected in mid-2022.Source: Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency news release, Nov. 30, 2021A new scholarship fund established by the Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) will reduce financial constraints for high-merit students who cannot otherwise afford medical or dental education.Starting with an initial commitment of 250 million rupees (roughly the equivalent of $1.4 million U.S. dollars) the new PMC National Medical Scholarship Fund has grown to more than 361 million rupees. The fund is expected to increase further with the addition of grants from public and private sector institutions. The scholarship fund offers both scholarships and interest-free loans, depending on the need of the candidate.Source: Pakistan Medical Commission news release, November 22, 2021