Why we removed 3,000 doctors from RealSelf.com
3,000 doctors were recently removed from the RealSelf.com Find a Doctor listings and Ask a Doctor feature in order to improve the site consistency and experience for our community members.
Among those removed are doctors featured as "cosmetic surgeons" on popular TV makeover shows. We're proud to point out that our standards are higher than these media outlets.
To be a recognized expert on RealSelf.com, the individual must be a board-certified physician in one of the following specialties: Plastic surgery, Facial plastic surgery, Dermatology, Oculoplastic surgery. These specialties are often referred to as “core aesthetic specialties” as described in our comprehensive policies.
Why the change?
First, it should go without mention that we view it as our responsibility to provide the community with high quality information about aesthetics for the skin, body, and smile. Getting educated about all of the various treatment options and cosmetic procedures is daunting to even the most informed consumer. The more hype and hyperbole we can strip out, the better.
Secondly, we're not the medical experts. Instead, for medical opinion, we rely upon the volunteer participation by doctors who've demonstrated to medical authorities that they've achieved a clearly defined standard of training, education, and knowledge related to a specialty area of medical study.
It may very well be the case that all 3,000 of the doctors removed from the site offer quality aesthetic services. Yet, we believe standards in aesthetics are in place for good reasons, not the least of them, patient safety. RealSelf is not in the position to develop or offer an alternative means of recognition for expertise.
"I do not teach anyone; I only provide the environment in which they can learn."
- Albert Einstein
Of the tens of thousands of conversations on our site, with discussions ranging from acne scar treatments to Zoom teeth whitening, a key point of consistency is that we're the unbiased facilitators. We present information in a format that helps consumers make informed decisions.
Comments about the change in doctor listings? Please feel free to share. We're always open to feedback.
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77 posts
26 Mar 2009
Dear Tom, I am in agreement with your decision. It's difficult for patients to know what "board certified" means. There are a some" board certification systems" that any person with $500 can join. I do most, but not all of the injections on my patients and I do all the laser resurfacing. I have trained technicians that perform laser hair removal and perform IPL treatments under my supervision. I have a problem with gynecologists doing breast augmentations,facial plastic surgeons doing tummy tucks,dentists doing facelifts and dermatologists doing thigh lifts. You can't learn these procedures in a weekend course
4 posts
30 Mar 2009
Why should we have to wallow through all the pigs, left to determine who is a pig and who is a prized sow? Upping the quality standards across the board gives greater odds of finding a blue ribbon specimen.
18 posts
12 Apr 2009
My Drs never delegate the laser procedures and injections to the nursing staff.If they did I would walk out!One Dr`s office I called had a dentist doing injections, No thanks.
2 posts
1 May 2009
You are right on target Tom. Would we allow our plastic surgeons to do pelvic exams and deliver babies? Or better yet allow them to do general anesthesia and cardiac caths. The medical boards would be working over time if that occurred.