By Azer Parrocha
MANILA, (PNA) — Every patient’s nightmare is undergoing a treatment he thinks will improve his condition or appearance and walking out feeling and looking much worse.
On account of the rise of the number of patients seeking dermatological treatment in non-traditional free standing medical spas or laser centers, a medical society on Tuesday advised the public to not settle for anything else but the “real thing.”
The Philippine Dermatological Society said that while spas and centers may charge a lower cost, nothing was safer than getting a consultation from physicians who are licensed to have authority on skin, hair and nail care.
“A dermatologist has to train for three years at a hospital or institution approved by the PDS,” Dr. Rosalina Nadela, president of the PDS said in Tuesday’s health forum at Annabel’s Restaurant in Tomas Morato.
“After which, he or she takes the board examinations of the PDS then earns the title Board Certified,” Nadela added, stressing only PDS-accredited dermatologists were considered genuine dermatologists.
There have been a number of patients (although Nadela said they have no records so far) who have suffered from dermatological procedures gone wrong and it is all because they unknowingly agree to get treatment from non-dermas.
Dr. Cecilia Rosete, Chair of the PDS Membership Committee and consultant at the Medical City hospital explained that although a dermatologist could not guarantee 100% free complications when procedures are done, he or she must consider ethical standards to avoid patients from further harm.
“A dermatologist should be able to explain everything to the patient beforehand (before the procedure),” Rosete said.
“In dermatology, it is best to downplay the outcome in order to get realistic expectations from patients.”
“No over treatment or unnecessary management should be given to a patient,” she said, explaining that there were some spas or dermatologists as well who treated the treatment like a business enterprise.
“Some dermatologists want a faster return of investments rather that what is best for the patient,” she added.
“They should promote what is best for the patient—the patient’s interest must be above all else.”
Rosete reiterated her advice to patients to make the right choice and choose the proper specialist.
One way to determine if a dermatologist is accredited by PDS was to check if the clinic had the PDS Skin Safety Campaign logo and prescription pad information indicating the physician is a fellow, diplomate, PDS associate or affiliate, she said.