• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Appointments
  • Diary
  • Directory
  • Blog
  • Advertise
  • Contact

The Harley Street Journal

Bi-monthly newspaper for the cosmetic and plastic surgery sector

  • News
  • Features
  • Events
  • Product Launches
  • Peer Reviews
  • Innovations

BAAPS launches a new initiative advancing the framework for mental health assessment in cosmetic surgery

August 8, 2021 by CarlFrascina

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) has launched a new initiative aimed at advancing the framework for mental health assessment in cosmetic surgery.

Around 20% of BAAPS surgeons referred patients on for second opinions in 2020, but with rising concerns about mental health and body dysmorphia, the course has been designed to fully equip surgeons with the necessary skills to respond to psychological factors in patient consultations, including the ability to refuse those deemed psychologically unfit for surgery. 

“Carrying out a thorough psychological assessment before any surgery is crucial”, says BAAPS Council Member Caroline Payne. “One of the hardest things to deal with is how to say no to patients and this course teaches us how to set those boundaries, when to ask for second opinions, when to ask for onward referrals. As plastic surgeons it is crucial to have a real insight into the psychological as well as surgical aspects of caring for patients undergoing aesthetic surgery and an appreciation of when referral to a clinical psychologist may be in a patients’ best interests rather than surgery.”

The launch comes in the same week that Katie Price announced her latest bout of cosmetic surgery; a full body overhaul, complete with liposuction, eye and lip lifts, and a Brazilian bum enhancement. Speaking to This Morning, the star responded to claims that she may be suffering from body dysmorphia, a mental health condition that the course addresses how to identify. 

Former BAAPS President Rajiv Grover, commented: “There is evidence that suggests people who struggle with their psychological health can feel pressured to turn to ‘quick fix’ procedures to improve their appearance.” 

“Surgery is not a cure for unhappiness”, says Caroline Payne, warning that, “It can actually lead to depression in patients who are not properly screened beforehand.” 

A day-long programme developed by clinical health psychologists Dr Joy MacInnes and Dr Esther Hansen, “Psychological Skills for Surgeons”, covers a series of didactic lectures and face-to-face interactions, all with the aim of improving surgeon’s understanding of patient psychology. 

The first half of the programme centres on the patient-surgeon relationship and aims to uncover the aspirations of the patient in order to allow surgeons to effectively manage expectations. 

The second part is focused on exploring what the patient considers to be the physical function of surgery. It explores the psychological impact of surgery and considers the psychosocial expectations of the patient, addressing how to set boundaries with regard to onward referrals and second opinions. 

The applied psychological theory covered in parts one and two will be put into practice in the latter half of the programme. Using actors to enact scenarios, surgeons will be tested on their ability to respond to patients’ evolving understanding of surgery, factoring in how to adjust their decision making according to behavioural changes. 

The final part of programme addresses how to respond to psychosocial factors, including dissatisfaction with surgery, psychological distress and mental health concerns, both previous and ongoing. Part 4 will also delve into the topic of body dysmorphia, how to set up a framework for assessment and onward referral to a psychological professional. 

*Online survey of BAAPS members conducted in July 2020. 

For more information on The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, please visit www.BAAPS.org.uk
 

Filed Under: News

Primary Sidebar

Aesthetics Conference 2022

Recent Posts

Hymen repair surgery to be banned in UK

The government is planning on banning a cosmetic surgery called hymenoplasty … [Read More...] about Hymen repair surgery to be banned in UK

BCAM Releases Top Five Most Performed Treatments

A study carried out by the British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM) has … [Read More...] about BCAM Releases Top Five Most Performed Treatments

Cosmetic surgery boom due to working from home

Harley Street clinics have seen a surge in people having cosmetic surgery … [Read More...] about Cosmetic surgery boom due to working from home

Aesthetics world remembers Mr Niall Kirkpatrick

The British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons … [Read More...] about Aesthetics world remembers Mr Niall Kirkpatrick

BioID Health launches new website

BioID Health, UK provider of tailored and bespoke bioidentical hormone … [Read More...] about BioID Health launches new website

Deleo brings ‘body layering’ to UK

Forget what you already know about body sculpting and prepare yourselves for the … [Read More...] about Deleo brings ‘body layering’ to UK

Skin health trends for 2022

The year 2021 was pretty on-point when it came to skin trends. We saw … [Read More...] about Skin health trends for 2022

Top Cambridge aesthetic clinic expands with two new hires

A multi award-winning aesthetics clinic based in Cambridge is pleased to … [Read More...] about Top Cambridge aesthetic clinic expands with two new hires

Channel 4 using virtual reality to ‘explore body image and cosmetic surgery’ in new show

Channel 4 has commissioned a new TV show that uses virtual reality to explore … [Read More...] about Channel 4 using virtual reality to ‘explore body image and cosmetic surgery’ in new show

Croma-Pharma expands successful mask range

Croma-Pharma (Croma) announced today the expansion of its successful mask … [Read More...] about Croma-Pharma expands successful mask range

Cynosure announces partnership with The Katie Piper Foundation

Energy-based aesthetic device company Cynosure has announced a new partnership … [Read More...] about Cynosure announces partnership with The Katie Piper Foundation

Under 18s banned from getting Botox for cosmetic reasons in England

People under 18 years of age will no longer be able to get Botox and dermal lip … [Read More...] about Under 18s banned from getting Botox for cosmetic reasons in England

Cosmex Clinic is now CQC registered

Award-winning Cosmex Clinic in Cambridge is now CQC registered. Part of the … [Read More...] about Cosmex Clinic is now CQC registered

UK seeing a rise in laser tattoo removal treatments

As we leave the pandemic behind, there’s no doubt the aesthetics industry is … [Read More...] about UK seeing a rise in laser tattoo removal treatments

BAAPS launches a new initiative advancing the framework for mental health assessment in cosmetic surgery

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) has launched a new … [Read More...] about BAAPS launches a new initiative advancing the framework for mental health assessment in cosmetic surgery

Dr Bob Khanna Training Institute receives approval from the Royal Society for Public Health

The Dr Bob Khanna Training Institute has been approved by the Royal Society for … [Read More...] about Dr Bob Khanna Training Institute receives approval from the Royal Society for Public Health

More Posts from this Category

Copyright © 2022 · The Harley Street Journal