BAAPS to introduce plastics mentorship programme
The first nationwide mentorship scheme for young plastic surgeons has been established by The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS).
The BAAPS mentorship scheme will see senior, experienced BAAPS member surgeons establish long-term relationships with young plastic surgeons to support them on their training journey and into their early consultant careers.
The Association hopes the scheme will create mutually beneficial relationships that protect industry standards throughout future generations.
BAAPS will support the development of a nationwide series of aesthetic mentorships aimed at post-FRCS(Plast) trainees to provide structure for mentors and their mentees, with BAAPS as the facilitator.
The mentorships are designed whereby the mentee gains a highly qualified assistant, colleague to participate in practice audit and research and to help with improvements in operation room efficiency. They will also receive CPD through teaching, discussion and mentee involvement in the patient journey.
Meanwhile, mentees benefit from tailored teaching and observation in various key settings – the operating theatre, in clinic, and in the running of a private practice.
BAAPS vice president Marc Pacifico commented: “There are many threats to the future of plastic surgery in the UK and we need to act now to protect the future through training. There is little or no exposure to aesthetic training in the NHS and although aesthetic fellowships are available, they are independent of each other and unevenly spread around the UK.
“BAAPS is uniquely placed to deliver this training. We are the UK’s nationally recognised and official aesthetic plastic surgery association with links to the Royal College of Surgeons. It is our responsibility to ensure that aesthetic surgery remains a recognised and respected discipline and part of the plastic and reconstructive surgical training ultimately for the benefit of our patients.”
The US FDA recently announced several measures to strengthen breast implant risk communication.
