| Cosmetic surgery rules in Ontario set to be tightened |
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| Monday, 19 November 2007 | |
Concerns about the apparent freedom of non-specialist physicians to conduct cosmetic surgery were raised following the death of 32 year old single mother Krista Stryland, who had undergone liposuction in Toronto . The physician who carried out the procedure was a family physician who advertised as a cosmetic surgeon. The coroner's office in Ontario has not yet announced the cause of Ms. Stryland's death. The use of the term "cosmetic surgeon" is a grey area in Ontario, and this loophole has been exploited until now to bypass the stricter regulations required of physicians who call themselves "plastic surgeons". Under Ontario law, doctors must have completed at least five year's of specialist residency before becoming certified and being permitted to call themselves plastic surgeons. At present, there is no specific category for cosmetic surgery within the regulator's guidelines. The regulatory body's meeting will be presented with the results of a survey that was conducted to assess the qualifications of doctors in the province who practice cosmetic surgery, thought to exceed 400 physicians. Any surgeons identified as not meeting necessary requirements will be individually reviewed by the regulator. Elsewhere in Canada, the rules surrounding the use of the term "cosmetic surgeon" are tighter, with Alberta prohibiting the use of the term unless the doctor holds a specialty in plastic surgery. In British Colombia, family physicians are generally prohibited from performing invasive surgical procedures. Those non-specialist doctors who wish to provide invasive surgical procedures must first demonstrate that they are providing their services in certified surgical facilities. |
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