GMC: Guidance for doctors who offer cosmetic interventions: Summary

SJT Textbook: Cosmetic Interventions

Cosmetic Interventions GMC

This cosmetic interventions GMC guide explains the ethical, legal and safety standards for elective cosmetic procedures as tested in MSRA SJT.

🎥 Video Lesson (YouTube)

🎧 Podcast Lesson (Spotify / Apple / Amazon)

🎯 THE CORE PRINCIPLE

Cosmetic interventions include surgical and non-surgical procedures intended to alter physical appearance and are governed by the same core duties as all medical practice, with higher ethical and safety thresholds due to vulnerability, elective nature, and commercial pressures. Procedures that constitute FGM are excluded and unlawful.

Doctors must ensure they are appropriately trained and competent, obtain personal, valid consent, assess psychological suitability, and give patients realistic expectations about benefits and risks. Marketing and financial incentives must never distort clinical judgment.

In the MSRA SJT, high-scoring answers prioritise patient safety, informed choice, psychological screening, transparency about risks and costs, and refusal to perform inappropriate or unsafe procedures.

The cosmetic interventions GMC guidance prioritises patient safety over commercial gain.

⚡ HIGH-YIELD ACTIONS (What Scores Points)

1. Confirm personal competence before offering any cosmetic procedure.
2. Undertake appropriate accredited training before performing new interventions.
3. Obtain consent personally, not through sales staff or third parties.
4. Provide balanced, truthful information on risks, benefits, and alternatives.
5. Allow adequate time for reflection before elective procedures.
6. Assess psychological vulnerability and body image concerns.
7. Manage expectations realistically and avoid exaggerating outcomes.
8. Declare and manage financial conflicts of interest transparently.
9. Monitor outcomes and audit practice regularly.
10. Refuse procedures that are unsafe, inappropriate, or outside competence.

These traps reflect commercial prioritisation over patient safety, which scores very poorly.

💬 MODEL PHRASES (Use These in SJT Logic)

* “I will work strictly within my competence and training.”
* “I need to assess the patient’s psychological suitability.”
* “I will provide realistic information about risks and outcomes.”
* “Financial interests must not influence my clinical judgment.”

C – Competence verified
O – Obtain consent personally
S – Screen psychological vulnerability
M – Manage expectations
E – Explain risks and alternatives
T – Transparency about fees
I – Independence from financial pressure
C – Continuous audit and review

MSRA SJT frequently tests breaches of cosmetic interventions GMC consent standards.

📋 QUICK FAQ

Can consent be obtained by non-clinical staff?
No. The doctor personally performing the procedure must obtain consent. Are cosmetic procedures ethically different from other treatments?
Yes. Higher standards apply due to elective nature and patient vulnerability. Can I advertise cosmetic services freely?
Only in a responsible, factual, non-misleading way. Can I perform new procedures after watching a course?
No. You must complete appropriate accredited training and supervision. Are children and young people treated differently?
Yes. Extra safeguarding, capacity assessment, and legal protections apply.

Psychological screening is essential under cosmetic interventions GMC rules.

📚 GMC ANCHOR POINTS

• Consent – Decision making and consent guidance
• Advertising – Professional standards on marketing
• Competence – Good Medical Practice
• Conflicts of interest – Financial and commercial arrangements guidance
• Safeguarding – Protecting children and young people

💡 MINI PRACTICE SCENARIO

A patient requests a cosmetic filler procedure you have not previously performed independently. Best action: Decline and arrange referral to a trained practitioner while you seek appropriate training. Why: Working outside competence risks serious harm and breaches GMC standards.

Financial incentives must never influence practice under cosmetic interventions GMC guidance.

🎯 KEY TAKEAWAYS

✓ Cosmetic work requires higher safety thresholds
✓ Consent must be obtained personally
✓ Psychological screening is essential
✓ Marketing must be honest and responsible
✓ Financial interests must never drive care
✓ Children require enhanced safeguarding
✓ Competence limits must be strictly respected

Working outside competence breaches cosmetic interventions GMC standards.

🔗 RELATED TOPICS

* → Financial and Commercial Arrangements
* → Decision Making and Consent
* → Safeguarding Children
* → Professional Boundaries
* → Prescribing and Medicines Safety

📖 FULL PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Example SJT — Best of 3 (8 options; choose three)

A patient requests a cosmetic treatment heavily promoted on social media. You have limited experience with the procedure.

Options:
A. Refer the patient to a trained specialist
B. Obtain personal consent and explain risks
C. Ask marketing staff to secure consent
D. Perform after watching an online tutorial
E. Assess psychological suitability
F. Promise guaranteed cosmetic results
G. Declare financial interests
H. Proceed because the patient insists

Example SJT — Rank 5 (best → worst)

A vulnerable young adult requests repeated cosmetic procedures.

Options:
A. Assess psychological factors and decline if inappropriate
B. Provide balanced risk–benefit counselling
C. Perform because they are paying privately
D. Offer discounted rates to retain the patient
E. Advertise similar procedures online