Board Certification in Cosmetic Surgery

Abstract

Background Aesthetic surgery patients commonly use online resources to select a surgeon. The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the American Board of Medical Specialties member board that certifies plastic surgeons. The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) provides aesthetic surgery credentials through a non–American Board of Medical Specialties–recognized process. This study examines use of the phrases “plastic surgery” and “plastic surgeon” by ABCS-certified surgeons when advertising online. Methods Diplomates of the ABCS were identified from the ABCS Web site. Professional Web sites, Facebook business pages, and Instagram profiles were located by online search. Use of the descriptor “plastic” and ABCS board certification on practice Web sites, Facebook business page categorization, and plastic surgery–related hashtag use on Instagram were recorded. Results A total of 298 non–American Board of Plastic Surgery–certified ABCS diplomates were included. One hundred eighty-nine (69.5%) categorized their Facebook business page as “plastic surgeon.” Within Instagram posts, 123 (57.2%) used #plasticsurgeon, and 172 (80.0%) used #plasticsurgery. On professional Web sites, 90 (30.4%) identified themselves as a “plastic surgeon,” 123 (41.6%) characterized their practice as “plastic surgery,” and 196 (68.5%) used their ABCS credential to identify as a “board-certified” cosmetic surgeon. Conclusions Diplomates of the ABCS frequently use “plastic surgeon” and “plastic surgery” in online advertisements despite a lack of accredited plastic surgery training or board certification. Furthermore, most ABCS diplomates use their ABCS credentials to market themselves as “board-certified” cosmetic surgeons, potentially violating American Medical Association–supported truth in advertising laws in some states and increasing public confusion regarding different board certifications.

Plastic Surgery or Facial Plastic Surgery: Can the Public Tell the Difference?

“…This might confuse and mislead potential patients who likely do not understand the scope of these physicians' training and qualifications. [32][33][34] The ASPS "Do Your Homework" initiative was started to address the problem of noncertified physicians performing plastic surgery and encourages patients to investigate their providers' backgrounds.…”

Office-based Plastic Surgery—Evidence-based Clinical and Administrative Guidelines

“…4,14,24,25 Office-based physicians are generally subject to less-detailed credential review, predisposing them to "practice drift"; that is, they are more susceptible to providing care outside the scope of their training. [26][27][28][29][30] Physicians must work within the scope of their licensing, experience level, and the facility's accreditation guidelines. 4,14,28,29 This also applies to anesthesiologists, who may receive less ambulatory training in residency, as well as nursing and support staff.…”

Out-of-scope Cosmetic Surgery: A Review of Malpractice Lawsuits against Nonplastic Surgeons

“…9 Despite this, 69.5% of ABCS-certified physicians advertise themselves as plastic surgeons on Facebook business pages even though cosmetic surgeons do not have equivalent training and have a higher rate of punitive actions by state medical boards. 10–12 However, it is important to highlight that these studies have examined how cosmetic surgeons may misrepresent their qualifications or the scope of their services to the public, and not whether these misrepresentations have clinical or legal consequences.…”