Monday, May 11, 2015
Case 7 Cosmetic Surgery (19May)
Collectively, answer the questions at the end of the case. Tie back to appropriate readings -- especially the reading about cosmetic surgery and the other by Pellegrino -- as well as current events, your professional knowledge, etc. Respond to at least one of your classmates' postings.
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Plastic surgery may be sometimes futile in nature, however to say that it would not be acceptable to use their knowledge and training for such procedures is not right. Professional standards can be based on the individual physicians' goals and objectives in regard to their use of medical training. I feel like the way they are presenting their plastic surgery is distasteful, but in the same regard, all advertisements to public can be deceitful. Medicine is not typically viewed by the public as a for-profit business. Physicians are generally in the field to produce good and help the public, but they are still compensated for their training and education. They should be allowed to use their education to provide ethical services, use their knowledge and training, within in the law, in profitable or non-profit ways.
ReplyDeletePlastic surgery is such a debatable topic. There are times when cosmetic surgery is very much called for because of accidents and other deformities that one might have. I also don't think it necessarily unhealthy for an individual to seek plastic surgery for an insecurity then suffer with. The problem with image lies a lot deeper and comes from not the advertisements, but from what people see on the big screen and in magazine. The image of what a body is "suppose" to look like has become unrealistic.
ReplyDeletePlastic surgeons are running a business and I may not agree that advertising to teens and young adults send the right message. I think the moral norm is different in doctors of other areas because most of what plastic surgery does is elective and other doctor have to treat problems the patient might have.
I think plastic surgery can be both a medical or personal choice as well. The constant bombardment of magazine and TV images in regards to what we are SUPPOSED to look like has no doubt made it difficult to ascertain that patients are seeking elective surgical procedures for the right reasons. I do have a friend who is a plastic surgeon and he does turn down patients that he deems unfit based on their motivation for surgery Ex.) pleasing boyfriend/husband
DeleteShelley,
DeleteYou are right, unrealistic is what is portrayed. It is our insecurities that make us do things we might otherwise run from if rational thought was involved. Every women but one I know that has had "work" done did it to look younger or to please their significant other. The one did it to cover horrible scars from a house fire.
Everyone should have the right to make decisions to improve their self-esteem. If a person can afford cosmetic surgery and is insecure about their image, I feel that cosmetic surgery could potentially save their life. It is ethically moral for a physician to provide these services. Too many people decide to end their life due to their insecurities, low self-esteem, and poor body image. This article targets the highly vulnerable population which could be assumed by many as a marketing tool but can also reach out to the age that often insecure. Medicine is often looked at as a profession however within a profession business is often the driving force!
ReplyDeleteI fell like most dr's do the surgery to help their patients but there are the few that are in it for the money and will do whatever it takes to get it.
DeleteOne of the down falls of this country is that we try to regulate individual decisions that have zero impact on other people. I feel that every American has the right to make their own decisions. If an individual want to have a procedure down to increase their self esteem or confidence than I feel that that person should be able to do that. I feel that the advertisement showing the college aged women shows the target population that usually has the lowest self esteem and confidence. This is always a personal decision and if someone decides to have a cosmetic procedure to make them feel more comfortable in their own skin then I think that is perfectly fine. In America we have freedom, freedom of choice.
ReplyDeleteI agree Andrea, this is a choice made freely. As a member of this nation we are allowed to make, for now, the choice utilizing the plastic surgical profession. Someday someone will decide that we are hurting ourselves and to protect us, will remove this freedom. We are rationale beings!
DeleteI agree! Patient's are allowed to have other elective procedures to cure an ailment in their life...why not have plastic surgery to help with confidence or self esteem.
DeleteWell stated! It is a freedom of choice and can promote a great sense of self worth to the patient!
DeleteIt is ethically acceptable for physicians to provide services such as cosmetic surgery. These surgeons were blessed with a great talent to provide services to our community. They may not be treating a medical illness per say but it is possible they are treating someone with a mental illness that unfortunately could lead to suicide. Many young people especially those of college age have body image issues. Media has portrayed the perfect image of what people should look like. I think if a person has self esteem issues and are lacking confidence that they should be able to make whatever changes they want.
ReplyDeleteIt's completely a personal choice, and we are not here to judge others for their choices. This an elective medical procedure between doctor and patient.
DeleteI agree with Tricia's media comment. Why are they not expected to have moral standards? America should be a moral country. It should be expected of everyone to make good moral choices, not just one profession.
DeleteI think everyone has a right to do what they want to improve their self esteem. To say that plastic surgery is bad is wrong. Plastic surgery is used everyday for good. Burn victims, accident victims, etc. I think that they are targeting a vunerable age group that have self esteem issues while i think this is in poor taste it ins't morally wrong. Medicine is a business and some dr's do go in that business to make money. If one dr won't do the surgery than there are 50 waiting to do it.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that some Drs go into the profession to make money. That is the bottom line and a choice they make. As their patients have the choice to choose whether this procedure is what they need for whatever reason. Neither is morally wrong.
DeleteJust as some nurses go into nursing to make money. You can pick them out of a crowd!
DeleteSherry,
DeleteIt is not morally wrong for the patient but could be for the physician. I feel most people are somewhat vulnerable with regards to their appearance and plastic surgeons sometimes use this to their advantage. Yes there are many physicians that will perform these surgeries and people will seek them out. just like the women who went to back alley clinics for abortions.
There should be psychiatric evaluation and treatment if indicated.
I this this decision should be between the physician and the patient. Think about how many doctors preform " exploratory surgeries" or preform a cardiac cath that is truly not necessary. A "quota" must be met? Is it to appease the patient?. At least plastic surgeons are upfront with their elective services offered.
DeleteYes it is ethically acceptable for doctors to offer services for cosmetic surgery. I would hope that as rationale beings we would make the best educated decisions possible for our needs. Using the ad to stimulate an increase in business is also without moral objection. The target of the ad is controversial but not objective. Medicine as a profession is in the business to help people in need. I think it is understood as a profession in a business.
ReplyDeleteAll ads could be considered controversial. Weight loss products are targeted to overweight individuals with low self-esteem willing to try the next best product. That usually ends with no results, a waste of money and even lower self-esteem because of another failed attempt.
DeleteI agree that in certain situations cosmetic surgery is ethical. Is advertising the correct way to go about drumming up business? As with any other type of procedures one should always be informed and research.
DeleteI think it is ethically acceptable but I also feel that advertising to at risk populations such as teenage girls is not acceptable.
DeleteIt is ethically acceptable for physicians to provide service other than for treating illnesses and conditions. As Healthcare consumers we have the right to choose to have elective procedures such as plastic surgery. While we may feel that is isn't necessarily the kindest thing to do, it is certainly not illegal to play to a person's insecurities to attract business, Medicine in the 21st century IS a business, but with stricter moral norms. This can actually be vowed as a positive. More competition for providing services gives the patient more choices in terms of health care consumerism, thus the drive for Magnet or Beacon designation. More choices equals better care equals better outcomes.
ReplyDeleteI think healthcare has moved in a positive direction in the 21st century as well. As a whole, our nation is more educated in regards to medicine and able to make better choices. Competition keeps the hospitals on their toes and always seeking the newest technology to be able to offer consumers. I definitely think we are on the better end now where we can choose the service and provider we want, and are not pigeon-holed into choosing one doctor( within our insurance network anyway). This is why there are so many commercials and advertisements. Not just for cosmetic surgery, but hospitals are in on the advertising too
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DeleteYes, I believe it is ethically acceptable for doctors to provide cosmetic treatments. There are many different reasons people choose to have these surgeries and there are amazing doctors that can deliver. Every individual has the right to their own choices but should be well informed as the patient before having any procedure done. I know there are good, well-intentioned doctors as well as hungry shark doctors. I would just want to be sure they have the patient's best interest at heart. Doctors typically want to heal and help patients get better, this is another means of helping patients get better mentally for those struggling with self-image. I don't think it is appropriate however, for doctors to agree to multiple surgeries, continually fixing things over and over (i.e. repeated nose surgeries for unhappy patient). To me this is a sign of a much deeper self-esteem issue that no amount of surgery can solve.
ReplyDeleteAs for advertising to drum up business, I think it is a little too much, but that is our culture these days. We all want what we can't have, but if we think we can pay for it and have it, we will try it! This is an elective business, so the doctors have to advertise to gain clients. They likely do not get "consulted" or "referred" very much. Healthcare is becoming more customer driven and the hospital is even about customer service now. Medicine still remains a profession, but in order to keep up with the ever changing flow of healthcare and government regulations, it is now also functions as a business. I feel as a society in general, we are getting away from the moral norms we used to know. Lines are constantly blurred and eventually get crossed. We are living in a selfish society where a lot of people want immediate gratification and feel entitled. This could lead to competition among cosmetic surgeons, so this way of advertising is what they hope may appeal to society and bring in their business.
Carla I agree about "repeat" surgeries and deeper issues. When is enough enough? If someone finds the need to repeatedly to something to alter their appearance and fix multiple things about themselves, it does appear there may be a deeper rooted issue that should be evaluated.
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ReplyDeleteI feel that it is ethical for plastic surgeons to use their skills to do cosmetic surgery. What I feel is unethical is for the media or society to say that someone should look a certain way and if they don't you should have surgery to correct it. In todays society there is too much pressure put on people to look a certain way and if you don't you are not accepted. It is everyone right to make the decision to do whatever makes you feel good about yourself. But it saddens me to see the younger generations feeling they need to "fit in" and look a certain way to meet those expectations. I think it depends on what are of medicine you are evaluating to consider it a business or a profession. My view of cosmetic survey to enhance something or make it look better is that is a business. To cosmetically correct a problem such as a burn victims skin or breast reconstruction for a breast cancer survivor is a profession.
ReplyDeleteI believe that it is ethically acceptable for physicians to provide plastic surgery for means other than treating a medical illness or dysfunction. It is a patient's right to do what they want with their body, regardless if it's getting a breast augmentation for self esteem issues or after having a mastectomy for cancer. I believe plastic surgery can be very beneficial in ones life by helping to ease their anxiety or depression about issues that are undesirable to them. I do not think there is any harm with advertising for plastic surgery. What about the advertisements that are geared toward image... makeup, hair care products, skin care products, orthodontic procedures or whitening...all of these can also help to promote an overall satisfaction with ones self image.
ReplyDeleteI believe that cosmetic surgery should be used in cases where the patient has been disfigured or has a medical need. Weight loss surgery to remove excess tissue, scar removal, burn victims, cleft lip and palate; these are what I feel need to be considered necessary plastic surgeries. I feel the oath a physician takes to treat illness should be carefully scrutinized. If a patient is dysfunctional due disfigurement, or has some other condition that warrants plastic surgery then surgery should be considered, but only after careful deliberation, complete informed consent and thorough psychiatric evaluation. I feel it is unethical for physicians to advertise. It is misleading and the promise for a better looking face and/or body may require multiple risky surgeries. It is sad that society has gotten to a place where aging is somehow unattractive and unnecessary. We need to take good care of what we have and not expose ourselves to such risky procedures.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way about using cosmetic surgery to help those in need of repair due to illness. But on the other side I feel that if one wants to have surgery to make them self feel better it's ok. It's their choice and their risk.
DeleteI think it is ok for a cosmetic surgeon to advertise. There are commercials on the TV running for OB/GYN physicians and family physicians. I feel this is really no different.
DeleteI do think it is ethically acceptable for physicians to provide services for cosmetic reasons. That being said, I do feel cosmetic surgery is sliding down a slippery slope. There is a need for the types of procedures that are considered cosmetic. Think of a patient with breast cancer. To be able to have reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy may allow her to regain her sense of self and not feel stripped of dignity from the disease. Patients with traumatic injury or birth defects may require ‘cosmetic’ surgery to be visually closer to what society sees as a norm.
ReplyDeleteI am not opposed to cosmetic surgery or procedures for those who feel they want to look younger or better. My issues is when the advertising is aimed at teenage girls and young women. Some of these advertisements seem to want to make these women believe they are not good enough and must look perfect. I do think certain physicians take advantage of people’s vulnerabilities about how they look. I think this is morally unacceptable and do feel as though there should be stricter moral rules than those that govern business. In this case I feel as though the physicians have lost sight of the moral obligation to do no harm by making a person feel unacceptable unless they fit into a certain mold.
I agree with you Monica that some of these advertisements gear to the youner groups that don't need work done. This paints a picture to them that they have to be perfect. It can cause harm to them mental and their self-esteem.
DeleteI feel that is ethically acceptable for physicians to provided serveries to those who want to change something on their body. It is their right to make an informed decision on what they want and accept the price that it cost. This meaning the financial means and the pain and discomfort they will or might not endure. I feel it is up to the patient to make sure that the doctor they are seeing and putting their trust in is qualified and his good outcomes. So many cosmetic surgeries can go wrong so they should do their homework by researching the surgeons work. This is not to say that the surgeon has no reasonability but if one wants surgery they should own up to the research and protect themselves.
ReplyDeleteI believe that it is moral and ethical for doctors to provided serveries that allow a patient to change their body the way they feel fit. I do not agree with how some of their advertisements are towards younger people and teenagers. I think this group is most at risk of having some type of plastic surgery done because they want that "prefect" body. I myself would never get plastic surgery just for the sake of it. I also feel that the plastic surgeons need to spend extra time going over with patients the risk that they could face after surgery. We see also of patients that come in due to complications from weight loss surgeries such as the lap ban.
ReplyDeletePlastic surgeons can provide a wonderful service for patients that have been injured, born with disfigurements such as cleft lips, or had to have surgical interventions for medical conditions that have left them disfigured. I have a hard time defending plastic surgeons that jut provide surgery for people that aren't happy with their appearance. While these advertisements are likely to be very successful, I do not agree with them. Society's view of women is so distorted and plastic surgeons just add to that. Medicine, while a business, should be done for a more moral reason. Plastic surgeons seem to be in the business more for money and not for the healthcare side of things.
ReplyDeleteI believe it is ethical for physicians to provide plastic surgery to self pay consumers. Why do we feel that we need to dictate what people do with their private funds. I do not agree with surgery under the age of 18 even with a parents consent aside for medical reasons. I feel your outlook on life changes so much in your teens and early 20's that it could be a mistake. I feel if the desire is there before 18 years of age it will be there after as well.
ReplyDeleteI think the question regarding advertisement of services that take advantage of insecurities is questionable. To say that physician cannot advertise their services because it is ethically wrong is not really of the day and age we live in. Hospitals and physicians are experiencing decreased reimbursement for care. Advertisement is way to capture business to make up for this decrease. It is not acceptable for a Cardiologist to advertise his skill and services? If so then why exclude a physician for private pay as well. He is at a disadvantage due to he is unable to bill insurance in most cases. Without seeing the specific commercial it is hard to comment on the nature of what is ethical and moral. People are of free will and mind. They are allowed to form opinions and make decisions based on what they see. The insecurity I have may not be the insecurity that another individual has. The FCC still regulates the content of adds.
Medicine in our current times is a business and profession. Physicians are unable to work for free. They cannot pay their staff or rent if they do not practice good business practices. That is the way of insurance and our current healthcare system.
Lastly even with my comments above I do not believe in plastic surgery unless it is reconstructive in nature. I feel that way but certainly would not impose this standard or judge those around me that feel differently.
I agree Nicole...I do not agree with elective plastic surgery for someone under the age of 18 and it is sad to see when a parent will agree to it. And it is even more sad when they can find a plastic surgeon who will perform the procedure!
DeleteI think it is ethically acceptable for physicians to provide services outside of treating medical conditions. I think that in the case of elective cosmetic surgery, the patient has the right to have procedures if they choose. I believe that our society has a warped view of how we are “supposed” to look. It is more important to be healthy than it is to have perfect measurements and a perfectly sculpted nose, chin, etc. Not only is there the demand within America for “beauty” but also other cultures look to the “Western World” glamorizing every possible aspect of “beauty”. I feel that advertisements aren’t unethical unless they are geared to or directed at teenagers and children. I think that medicine is understood now as both a business and profession. With all of the changes in healthcare and the profession of healthcare you need the business aspect to remain viable.
ReplyDelete