Specializing as a cosmetic physician
When medical students want to specialize in a certain direction after their studies – for example, as a surgeon, neurologist, or ENT doctor – they must secure a training position in a hospital. However, until recently, if someone wanted to specialize as a cosmetic physician, there was no real opportunity to specialize in the field. The reason for this is quite practical: it is a relatively new field. Twenty years ago, cosmetic medical procedures were barely performed. But in recent years, the demand for them has grown enormously.
Therefore, the Dutch Association for Cosmetic Medicine (NVCG) has successfully advocated for the recognition of Cosmetic Medicine as a separate medical discipline. This recognition was urgently needed, according to the chairman of the NVCG: “In recent years, it has been unclear who is a truly qualified cosmetic physician and who is not. It is a young field with a low medical risk. But that does not mean that complications cannot occur. That is why it is good that there is now a dedicated training and expertise. Cosmetic medicine is no longer something that can just be done on the side.”
Training Clinics
Currently, eight training clinics have been designated where cosmetic physicians can go for their specialization. The clinics are separately visited and inspected based on quality requirements, drawn up and coordinated by the NVCG and the Royal Dutch Medical Association (KNMG). Meijer: “It is a relatively short specialization where you receive theory one day a week and participate in a clinic for four days. The current curriculum covers two years. But we are now working on additional modules such as, for example, cosmetic surgery – actual cutting. That is not yet part of the basic specialization.” Doctors already working in the field have until July 1, 2022, to demonstrate, through a transitional arrangement, that they possess the qualifications that entitle them to the recognized title.
Source: Mijngezondheidsgids.nl July 24, 2019
