In the realm of Anti-Age and Aesthetic Medicine, where the World Congresses convene, one is compelled to ponder: is it a domain of Science or merely a Scenic Park for display?
As I ventured into yet another Congress dedicated to aesthetic medicine, hailed as one of the paramount gatherings in the field worldwide, a contemplation lingered with me throughout the event.
Across the years, these symposiums have served as an exceptional avenue to stay abreast of the latest advancements, engage in discourse with esteemed peers, and hone one's expertise. However, a profound shift is palpable today.
Wandering through the conference chambers, it dawned on me that for many attendees, the paramount objective had shifted from acquiring knowledge to seeking visibility. Cameras outnumbered notepads, video shoots eclipsed scientific deliberations, and medical influencers, more akin to corporate puppets, overshadowed genuine practitioners driven by erudition.
Yet, when communication supersedes education, do we still uphold the essence of medicine? When a professional's worth is gauged more by social media followers than the merit of their work showcased in unbiased publications or esteemed platforms, who bears the repercussions?
Undoubtedly, marketing stands as a vital tool to promote one's endeavors, as articulated in a recent discourse, "exemplary medical practice merits marketing of commensurate caliber." Nonetheless, a stark disparity emerges between utilizing communication to convey value and leveraging it to project a facade devoid of substance.
I do not intend to vilify visibility; quite the contrary, aesthetic medicine necessitates lucid, accurate, and professional representation. Yet, we must introspect: are we truly assuming the mantle of healers, or are we metamorphosing into public personas seeking engagement?
A contemplation for our peers: our credibility hinges not on the volume of social media posts but on the impact we impart on our patients' lives. And to align seamlessly with contemporary practices, possession of a reputable domain (.com) housing a sophisticated website is imperative, where aesthetic finesse converges with the clinical excellence demanded by our patients. The recent selection of the Elon Musk-Robert Kennedy duo by the new US administration underscores this realization.
Regrettably, the glamorization of aesthetic medicine is distorting public perception. The average patient, tasked with discerning based on competence, experience, and outcomes, finds themselves swayed by substandard publications endorsed by pharmaceutical giants, digital metrics such as likes, views, and followers. This trend risks estranging us from the core of our profession: patient well-being.
Moreover, even as fillers, threads, and botulinum persist for over three decades, resurfacing under varied monikers (e.g., skin boosters, exosomes, PRP), concealing their complications primarily stemming from subpar product quality or disregard for contraindications or erroneous indications (e.g., threads being touted for any tissue, any condition).
We must contemplate whether this trajectory is sustainable in the long run or if we are erecting a precarious edifice (in the form of guidelines) destined to crumble under the weight of clinical actuality. Our professional worth transcends the events we attend or the content we disseminate; it is defined by the caliber of our daily practice and the outcomes we secure for our patients.
How can we realign the focus on genuine medical excellence?
- Invest in education and continual enhancement, not just in theatrical presence.
- Share educational material that genuinely enriches our audience.
- Be transparent about our competencies and the authentic potential of treatments.
- Foster constructive dialogue among peers to uphold the sector's high standards.
- Exercise caution with FDA/CE medical devices (as these agencies are tainted and prioritize interests other than patient safety), and explore compound pharmacy products from smaller entities that cannot afford a single irreversible complication with their offerings.
This contemplation does not aim to censure but rather to ignite a crucial discourse. If we aspire for aesthetic medicine to be regarded with gravity and to progress in alignment with ethical principles, we must ensure that communication serves science, not the inverse. Warm regards to all.
