Royal Society of Medicine Welcomes Aesthetics & Cosmetic Surgery
The Royal Society of Medicine (RSM) has established a new section dedicated to Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery, marking a significant development in the medical field. This new section, set to be launched in October 2024, formally recognises aesthetics as a medical speciality.
The RSM is a prestigious UK-based institution committed to advancing healthcare through education and training. Founded in 1805 as the Medical and Chirurgical Society of London, it merged with several specialist societies over the years to become the RSM. This independent, apolitical organisation plays a pivotal role in providing resources, research, and professional development opportunities to both medical practitioners and students. It hosts a broad range of events and lectures, many of which are key highlights in the medical calendar, to foster knowledge exchange and inspire the next generation of medical professionals. With a rich library and digital resources, the RSM also provides valuable educational material to its diverse global membership, which spans across various disciplines within the medical field.
Dr. Christopher Rowland Payne, a Consultant Dermatologist, will preside over the newly formed RSM Section of Aesthetic Medicine & Surgery (RSM SAMAS). This establishment underscores the growing recognition and importance of aesthetic medicine and surgery within the healthcare framework. “Aesthetic medicine should not be seen as an industry or a shop, where people can ask for what they want,” explained Dr. Payne. “It should be regarded as any other branch of medicine, where the patient asks a doctor for advice which they can then take or not.”
The creation of RSM SAMAS aims to enhance patient outcomes by promoting evidence-based best practices in both surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures. Moreover, the section will provide a platform for scientific debate, striving to elevate professional standards and safety across the discipline.
The section will also offer regular educational events to support medical and dental professionals involved in this field. By pooling expertise from dermatologists, surgeons, physicians, dentists, and other GMC-registered doctors, RSM SAMAS intends to foster a multidisciplinary approach to aesthetic medicine.
“We are delighted to incorporate this new Section for Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery into the Royal Society of Medicine,” expressed Professor Gillian Leng CBE, President of the Royal Society of Medicine. “This is an important and growing medical field and one that deserves to be recognised in its own right.”
RSM SAMAS will become the 56th Section of the RSM, reflecting a broadening scope of specialties that address emerging medical fields and enhance healthcare outcomes. Dr. Rowland Payne added, “It is crucial that we refocus on placing patient care at the heart of everything we do. We must elevate standards of care and safety and uphold excellence in teaching. The Congress will serve as a vital platform to achieve these goals.”
As the field of aesthetic medicine continues to evolve, this new section within the RSM is poised to make a profound impact on healthcare standards, patient safety, and professional education in the coming years.