BAAPS develops course to help surgeons better understand psychology of patients

Published 13th Jul 2021 by PB Admin
BAAPS develops course to help surgeons better understand psychology of patients

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) has developed a course aimed at developing surgeons’ psychological skills to help them better understand their patients on a mental level.

Psychological Skills for Surgeons is a one-day programme in four parts and has been developed by clinical health psychologists Dr Joy MacInnes and Dr Esther Hansen to equip surgeons with the necessary skills to respond to psychological factors in patient consultations.

The four sections include a series of didactic lectures and face-to-face interactions, with the first half of the programme focusing on the patient-surgeon relationship. It aims to uncover the aspirations of the patient in order to allow surgeons to effectively manage expectations. 

The second part explores what the patient considers to be the physical function and psychological impact of surgery and considers the psychosocial expectations of the patient, addressing how to set boundaries with regard to onward referrals and second opinions.

The applied psychological theory covered in parts one and two will be put into practice in the latter half of the programme. Using actors to enact scenarios, surgeons will be tested on their ability to respond to patients’ evolving understanding of surgery, factoring in how to adjust their decision making according to behavioural changes.

The final part of programme will address how to respond to psychosocial factors, including dissatisfaction with surgery, psychological distress and mental health concerns, both previous and ongoing. Part four will also delve into the topic of body dysmorphia, how to set up a framework for assessment and onward referral to a psychological professional.

“Carrying out a thorough psychological assessment before any surgery is crucial”, said BAAPS council member Caroline Payne. “One of the hardest things to deal with is how to say no to patients and this course teaches us how to set those boundaries, when to ask for second opinions, when to ask for onward referrals. 

“As plastic surgeons it is crucial to have a real insight into the psychological as well as surgical aspects of caring for patients undergoing aesthetic surgery and an appreciation of when referral to a clinical psychologist may be in a patients’ best interests rather than surgery."

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PB Admin

PB Admin

Published 13th Jul 2021

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