Ethical Issues in Cosmetic Surgery
When it comes to cosmetic surgery, there are a lot of ethical issues that need to be considered. These include a patient’s right to medical health care, autonomy, and motivation for the cosmetic procedure they choose. Moreover, there are also a lot of risks that can be associated with these practices. Some of these risks include death and complexities that arise after the surgeries.
Ethical Issues in Cosmetic Surgery
In our modern society, we are incredibly concerned with appearance and image. This can lead to an increased demand for cosmetic surgery. They are also encouraged to consider their financial conflicts of interest and to avoid coercion of minor patients.
Despite this, plastic surgeons must be mindful of ethical issues associated with cosmetic procedures. They must consider the patient’s right to medical health care, autonomy, and motivation for undergoing a procedure.
This may involve a careful examination of the psychological and emotional states, as well as the motivations, of minor patients. It is important to understand the underlying psychological causes of distress over body image so that the procedures can be geared toward a therapeutic and healthy goal.
In addition, it is important to ensure that patients do not attempt to achieve unachievable perfection through the procedures. Instead, the goals should enhance their health and quality of life and improve their social and work lives.
Patient’s Right to Medical Health Care
Patient rights are a fundamental component of providing health care. They include the right to medical care that respects individual, cultural and educational differences. These rights can be achieved in a genuine partnership between patients and their healthcare providers. Observance of these rights can improve the quality of care and help ensure safe outcomes for all involved.
During treatment, patients are responsible for providing their physician with complete and accurate information on present complaints, past illnesses, surgeries, hospitalizations, medications, supplements, allergies, and unexpected changes in their condition.
This includes letting your practitioner know if you wish to change your primary or speciality physician. Moreover, you have the right to be informed of any advance directives that may affect your care or how your physician is required to use and disclose your healthcare information.
Patient’s Autonomy
Patient autonomy is the right of patients to make their own healthcare decisions. It is a fundamental principle of our health care system. It is based on the assumption that, in the absence of overt coercion, each competent and mature individual should be given the opportunity to decide whether they wish to undergo medical intervention.
The ability of a patient to make an informed decision is largely determined by their level of understanding about the nature and scope of their treatment. This means that a physician must provide sufficient information to a patient so that they can make an informed decision.
The government has attempted to bolster the patient’s autonomy by regulating cosmetic surgeons’ qualifications and establishing a system for inspecting premises and registering clinics. However, there remains a need for greater vigilance in this area. It is primarily the responsibility of surgeons and clinic managers to ensure that standards are maintained and improved.
Patient’s Motivation in Cosmetic Surgery
Patients who undergo cosmetic treatments have a range of motivations. People may want to improve their beauty, self-esteem, psychological wellness, or physical health after a major life event.
They may want to treat a specific physical condition, such as a skin problem or a facial scar. They may also have concerns about their health and well-being or social acceptance in their communities. Most of the patients surveyed reported cosmetic motivations that were emotional and largely focused on their appearance. For example, they wanted clear, beautiful skin and a more youthful appearance.