How to choose the Right Aesthetic Medical Practice
Want to choose the Right Aesthetic Medical Practice? Here at Carolina Age Management, we find that it is increasingly difficult for patients to “Google” a practice they can rely on to get safe and aesthetically pleasing treatments. The following is intended to be a guide in helping you find the right practice and physicians—
- Who are the players and what are the general training requirements?
- Physician – A physician is a healthcare provider who is required to have a bachelor’s degree, usually in a field of science, before they complete years of intensive clinical training in medical school, followed by internships, residencies, and board certifications.
- Nurse Practitioner – Nurse practitioners must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing as well as an RN license, followed by two years of nurse practitioner school.
- Physician Assistant – To become a physician assistant, one must earn a bachelor’s degree and complete a physician assistant training program, which takes two years.
- Nurse – Nurses are required to complete a two-year training program to get their LPN or a four-year program to get their bachelor’s in nursing.
- Esthetician – Estheticians are required to complete a six-month training program comprised of didactic and clinical experience and pass a state board to be licensed.
- What is the difference between a med spa and an aesthetic medical practice?
Many times medical spas do have the appropriate supervision mandated by the medical board; however, many states have grown severely complacent in regulating the operations of “med spas.” Medical practices are generally held to a higher standard than med spas. Protocols created by physicians, who hold a vested interest in the medical practice and are present onsite every day, provide patients with a high quality of care and safety.
- What should I look for in my provider?
Your provider should be easily accessible and very approachable. You should make sure that your provider remains up-to-date on the latest technology and procedures. We do recommend you seek providers that are board-certified; however, there needs to be more than just board certification. Board Certification could have been completed 10 years prior; therefore, the simple fact that your physician holds a particular certification doesn’t mean that he/she is up-to-date on current data and training.
- Red Flags?
If your provider has moved around from practice to practice every year or two, then this should be a big red flag. You want a provider that is stable and can be a part of a team so that you have continuity of care. If your provider is unwilling to discuss other treatments other than those offered at his/her practice, this should also be a red flag. Providers should always do what’s best for their patients and not their wallets. A good provider will be willing to wait for you to weigh your options and be patient until you make the best decision for yourself.
In summary, excellent providers come in many forms. You want a reliable, stable, compassionate, and skilled provider with experience. At CAMI, we pride ourselves on having that exact formula with all of our providers!
Dr. Stephen Giordano is an osteopathic physician at Carolina Age Management Institute located at 8712 Lindholm Drive, #302, in Huntersville. You may contact them at 704-997-6530 or visit their website at dev.carolinaagemanagement.com.