Bristol, England — Researchers from the Centre for Appearance Research at the University of the West of England have finished the first round of testing on a new psychological screening tool for prospective cosmetic surgery patients.
The test was developed in response to rising aesthetic procedures in the U.K., PHYSorg Science News Wire reports. Since 2003, private aesthetic procedures in the U.K. have tripled. Little is known about the impact of cosmetic surgery on patients’ psychosocial functioning and satisfaction with their appearance in the long-term, and more people are seeking to undergo elective cosmetic procedures without first completing a psychological assessment.
Investigators intend to enter the next phase of testing later this year. The next step will involve a larger scale, multisite evaluation of the screening procedure by following patients over the course of a year to establish psychological profiles and gauge the psychosocial impact aesthetic that procedures have on patients.
“This new screening process is designed to provide a quick and efficient method through which prospective patients can be screened and assessed in more depth where necessary, and then guided to alternative care where appropriate,” Centre for Appearance Research co-director Nichola Rumsey said. “It will help surgeons to offer care tailored to the needs of their patients, and will generate much needed understanding of the psychological impact of cosmetic surgery.”
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