ASDS pushes for more transparency under Senate bill

Results from an American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Future Leaders Network consumer survey are being disclosed in an effort to encourage lawmakers to strengthen SB 5493, a truth-in-advertising bill, according to a press release from the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association.

The results are being distributed by medical groups in Nebraska, Florida and New York, according to the release, and indicate that 99% of almost 1,800 patients who participated wanted to know more information about the practitioner who would be performing their cosmetic procedure. Ninety-five percent of respondents wanted to know their physician’s board certification; 89% wanted to see level of licensure on print ads; 86% wanted to see full titles spelled out on name badges; and 73% believed the level of training is the most important factor when selecting a practitioner.

SB 5493 requires transparency in medical advertising through disclosure of medical licensure in direct-to-consumer communications and name tags, and it prohibits misleading claims of board certification, the release said.

The survey was conducted by Ashley A. Smith, MD, a San Francisco dermatologic surgeon, for a Future Leaders Network project to view public perception of various surgeons.

“Transparency in medical advertising allows patients to make informed decisions about where to receive their medical care,” Smith said in the release. “The public has a right to know. As a practicing dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon, I’ve had a fair number of patients come to me after having had problems or adverse outcomes from cosmetic procedures by providers who may not have been adequately trained.”

Seventeen states currently require level of licensure disclosure in any advertisement of health care services; nine others stipulate under what circumstances physicians can claim board certification, the release said.