Should Patients Be Informed if a Doctor is Inexperienced in a Certain Procedure?

asked 3 years ago by thenightmarethatdoesn'tquit in LA
Latest answer by William Ting, MD
Question viewed 601 times
Tags: expertise, qualifications, training

For example - If you injected Sculptra for the first time into a patient's face, would you inform them they were the very first, in writing?

9 answers to Should Patients Be Informed if a Doctor is Inexperienced in a Certain Procedure?

Sculptra doctor's experience level

Sculptra is not dispensed to doctors without hands on training from a professional trainer. Obviously, the more experience the better your chances of a desirable outcome. Not every doctor has the "eye" required for successfully using Sculptra so it's a good idea to ask to see their Sculptra patient results before you make a physician selection. Most physicians will perform additional hands-on practicing on people in their inner circle who are not patients first. And some... more

Rebecca Fitzgerald, MD
Los Angeles Dermatologist

www.rebeccafitzgeraldmd.com

It is important to Know of a doctor's experience with a procedure

Absolutely! Always ask your practitioner of their experience. When possible it would be nice to see example before and after images also.

David Mabrie, MD
Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon

Experience and the practice of medicine

While your question is specifically about Sculptra, it really demands a broader answer. Everyone is familiar with the term the "Practice of Medicine" but few pause to actually think about what it means. When an accountant learns how to perform a particular calculation, the result of that calculation performed over and over again forever into the future will be the same if the data in the calculation are the same. However, for a physician, people are never the same and even if... more

David W. Stepnick, MD
Cleveland Facial Plastic Surgeon

Experience matters with Sculptra injection

Sculptra is not for average physician injectors. It requires good understanding of anatomy, volume restoration of upper 1/3 of face, dynamics involved with lifting of skin. While any physician injector must start somewhere, somehow, it should be disclosed especially for paying clientele.

William Ting, MD
Bay Area Dermatologic Surgeon

www.DrWilliamTing.com

Honesty builds trust

Absolutely a patient should be informed if their physician is inexperienced with any procedure including sculptra. I don't think this needs to be in writing but in form of a discussion. Ideally you are being treated by a physician that you know well and trust and who is an advocate for your health and beauty.

Elizabeth F. Rostan, MD
Charlotte Dermatologist

www.charlotteskinandlaser.com

Patients have a right to know the Sculptra experience of their doctor.

Absolutely, I inform patients when I am performing a new treatment, Sculptra included. In fact I ask their permission to be one of the first and generally do not charge them. I feel that they deserve an experienced Sculptra injector and have the right to decline to be a "first time patient".

Susan Van Dyke, MD
Paradise Valley Dermatologist

www.vandykelaser.com

First time injector

I generally would tell a patient if I had not done a procedure before, however I am not sure what the point is to put it in writing. If the patient wanted me to put it in writing it wouldnt be a problem but I would think of it as a little strange to be honest

Chris Thiagarajah, MD
Washington DC Oculoplastic Surgeon

Experienced Injectors

Research in your doctor is very important. Some companies like Sculptra require training and certification before the company will even sell the product to the doctor. Other companies sell their products to anyone. My suggestion would be to talk to other patients about their experience and also be up front and ask the doctor about their experience with each product you are considering. Good luck.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Experience with Sculptra

Unless they have changed their protocol, Sculptra will not sell their product to anyone who has not undergone hands-on training with another practioner who is experienced. With other injectibles , such as Restylane, Perlane, etc.), techniques are similar enough that if a surgeon is comfortable with one, there should be no problem with the first experience with another product.