Pearls of Wisdom: Expert Insights for Communicating With Aesthetic Patients.

Abstract

Good communication with patients is essential in aesthetic surgery. In particular, the challenge of expectation management is crucial to optimise patient satisfaction, which may be irrespective of objective outcomes. Experienced plastic surgeons inevitably refine their consultation process and hone their communication skills throughout their years of practice. The invaluable "pearls" that expert surgeons develop would be beneficial to all surgeons and particularly those early in their practice. This concept prompted the authors to explore whether the communication skills acquired by a selected group of highly regarded plastic surgeons could be condensed and categorised in a way that others could benefit from. The purpose of this Special Topic is to demonstrate that there are a select number of core messages that many plastic surgeons desire to communicate, particularly during the pre-operative consultation process. Various phrases and aphorisms have been formulated within these sub-topics that we hope will be positively incorporated into colleagues' practices in order to improve the patient experience, and ultimately patients' understanding and satisfaction with their outcomes.