Artiste Plastic Surgery’s Patient-Centric Approach To AHPRA Guidelines

Artiste Plastic Surgery is dedicated to providing exceptional care and ensuring patient safety. This commitment is reflected in our adherence to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) guidelines. These guidelines are designed to ensure that patients receive the highest standard of care and that all medical practices are conducted ethically and transparently. Here’s how we embrace a patient-centric approach in line with AHPRA standards.

The Importance of GP Referrals

A General Practitioner (GP) referral is a crucial first step in the journey of plastic surgery. At Artiste Plastic Surgery, we value the role of GPs in providing initial assessments and recommendations. A GP referral ensures that patients are medically fit for surgery and that any underlying health issues are addressed beforehand. This step helps ensure that the surgical plan aligns with the patient’s overall health and well-being.

Two In-Person Consultations

We prioritise informed decision-making by encouraging patients to undergo two separate consultations before proceeding with surgery. This approach provides patients ample time to reflect on their choices, ask questions, and consider the potential outcomes. The first consultation is often about understanding the patient’s goals and discussing the possibilities, while the second allows for a more in-depth discussion of the surgical plan and expectations. This two-step process helps ensure that patients are fully informed and comfortable with their decision.

Psychological Screening

The psychological well-being of our patients is of utmost importance. Artiste Plastic Surgery recommends patients to undergo psychological screening as part of the pre-surgical assessment to ensure that patients are mentally prepared for the changes that surgery will bring. This approach aligns with the updated 2023 guidelines from the Medical Board of Australia, which mandate psychological evaluations for patients of concern. These guidelines stipulate that patients under 18 seeking major cosmetic procedures or individuals displaying significant underlying psychological issues must undergo an assessment to determine their suitability for surgery.

Adhering to Advertising Requirements

In compliance with AHPRA’s advertising guidelines, we ensure that all promotional materials and advertisements are truthful and not misleading. We provide accurate information about the procedures, expected outcomes, and potential risks. 

Discussion of Risks and Disclaimers

Understanding the risks associated with any surgical procedure is essential for patient safety. We place a strong emphasis on discussing the potential risks and complications with patients during the consultation process. We provide comprehensive information about the procedure, including any potential side effects and recovery expectations. 

Publication of AHPRA Medical Registration Number

Artiste Plastic Surgery is committed to maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct. We prominently display our surgeons’ AHPRA medical registration number, ensuring that patients can verify our credentials and trust in our expertise. This practice not only demonstrates our compliance with regulatory standards but also reassures patients of our dedication to ethical medical practice.

If you want to learn more about why AHPRA is important or what they are responsible for and regulate, read on our blog about Artiste Plastic Surgery’s AHPRA Compliance. For more information about cosmetic surgery in Sydney, you may book a consultation with us and our qualified surgeons, led by Dr Jack Zoumaras will assist you on your cosmetic surgery journey. Schedule an appointment today. 

Disclaimer: At Artiste Plastic Surgery, our Plastic Surgeons led by Dr Jack Zoumaras have been trained to the highest possible degree. All surgery has risks and it is always advised to get a second opinion. Risks are very real and we cannot guarantee any result. Results are illustrated as a guide only. All risks are managed and any need for revision surgery or complications (1-5%) can be managed by our specialist plastic surgeons.

Any statements on how you will feel is based on Level V Evidence:

Level V:  How you will feel after plastic surgery varies between individuals, depending on psychological and physical factors. Our internal research is based on how patients in our practice feel after surgery.

The blogs are not a substitute for a medical consultation and do not form as part of the doctor to patient relationship.