Is it true that any physician can "perform" plastic surgery?

Question

I read an article on the internet this morning, and it said that in some states (the article specifically referenced Tennessee), any physician can perform plastic surgery, and does not need to be board licenced in plastic surgery. The author enquired about 13 physicians licences, who all advertised to be "board licenced", and found that only 5 were "diplomats" of the plastic surgery board. Some of the doctors were gynies, internal medicine docs and family physicians. It also said that many of the Doctors on those plastic surgery reality shows are not members of the plastic surgery board.

Please excuse my ignorance about this matter, but do you know anything about this? Is this accurate?

Answer 1

I guess any physician can perform any procedure he or she wants in a private office and most state medical boards won't object unless there are complaints. But large hospitals and out-patient surgery centers have to be certified by the Joint Commission (formerly JCAH. later JCAHO), and one stipulation for accreditation is that all surgeons have to be certified or qualified in their area  of specialty. So to do plastic surgery in a large medical center, you almost certainly have to be qualified or certified.

From there it gets a bit confusing. Many ENT specialists are qualified to do plastic surgery. Then there are numerous professional organizations such as the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (the Gold Standard?), the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. There are probably others. Training and requirements differ. Many plastic surgeons are extremely highly trained, but there are a few outriders who took a few weekend courses and hang up a wall-full of impressive certificates in their office. Your personal physician should be "in the know" as to which doctors have valid credentials.

Answer 2

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