Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery: The Collège des médecins du Québec Taking
Action to Protect the Public with Appropriate Controls

MONTREAL, June 15 /CNW Telbec/ - During a press conference held today, the Collège des médecins du Québec unveiled the conclusions of a report prepared by its working group on aesthetic medicine and surgery. The working group is recommending the implementation of a series of actions, including the creation of a directory of aesthetic medical activities accessible to the public on the Order's Web site, as well as the production of a practice guideline for doctors outlining the standards to be adhered to in this field. The guide would also specify the training required to carry out aesthetic techniques and would insist on the notion of free and enlightened patient consent.

"Over the past few years," underlined Dr. Yves Lamontagne, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Collège, "there has been an increase in the number of medical techniques being offered, the number of physicians interested in providing aesthetic services, and at the same time, in the number of legal actions taken in conjunction with such interventions. Our working group was formed in March 2008 upon the request of our Board in order to study the oversight of aesthetic medicine and to recommend measures to assure better protection of patients undergoing such procedures. In creating a directory, the Collège's intent is to transmit as much information as possible to Québecers so as to familiarize them with the benefits and risks associated with the techniques and products offered, as well as with the recourse available to them in the event of any complications."

The Collège des médecins also believes that the public must be able to correctly interpret the publicity issued by doctors, particularly with respect to their specific skills and training. Consequently, the Office des professions du Québec has recently adopted the Collège's recommendation of adding a new section on advertising to the Code of Ethics of Physicians. These new provisions will serve to provide an indication of the type of specialist certificate (including the specialty of family medicine) held by physicians offering aesthetic medical services. These new measures are in addition to the existing legislative directives that regulate aesthetic medical activities, including Bills 33 and 34 and their regulatory provisions that gave rise to the creation of specialized medical centres.

"We believe that these measures will contribute to assuring the quality and safety of the care and services offered in the field of aesthetic medicine that people are fully entitled to expect and receive," added Dr. Yves Robert, Secretary of the Collège. "The directory of aesthetic medical activities and practice guide will be completed over the course of the next few months."

The Collège des médecins du Québec is the province's professional order of physicians. The mission of the Collège is to promote quality medicine in order to protect the public and help improve the health of Québecers.

For further information: Ms. Leslie Labranche, Public Relations Coordinator, Collège des médecins du Québec, Cellular: [phone]