2023-11-28 05:47:00
A sentence dropped a week ago during a conference organized by Gibbis, the employers’ umbrella of the Brussels hospital sector, aroused attention. “We think that, statistically, there are enough dermatologists for the population, but, in fact, more than a third of dermatologists who graduate from university do Botox in private clinics. And therefore, we do not have enough dermatologists to meet the needs of the population,” declared Élisabeth Degryse, the former vice-president of the Christian Mutuality, now in politics – she will be head of the list for Les Engagés aux 2024 elections.
Les Engagés are recruiting Elisabeth Degryse, who will be head of the list for the federal elections in Brussels, alongside Pierre Kompany
By her example, Ms. Degryse wanted to highlight the absurdity, according to her, of the method of assigning Inami numbers for young doctors which would not sufficiently take into account the realities on the ground. But she also put her finger on a situation that raises questions.
Absence of figures on aesthetic practices
Questioned by La Libre, Élisabeth Degryse explains that the figure comes from Jacques de Toeuf, the former president of the Absym doctors’ union. Contacted, the latter indicates that he does not have precise data on the activity of each dermatologist because aesthetic services, such as Botox injunctions, are not reimbursed and therefore not collated by the authorities.
The evaluation on aesthetic activity, he adds, was given to him by Béatrice De Donder, vice-president of theProfessional Union of Dermatology (UPBDV). “She told me: “A good third of dermatologists do botox”. And some of them only do cosmetic dermatology.”
Béatrice De Donder, vice-president of the Belgian Professional Union of Dermatology and Venerology (UPBDV). ©skin.be
Contacted in turn, Dr De Donder admits that many dermatologists perform aesthetic services to increase their income. “But dermatologists who only do aesthetics represent only a small minority. Around 4 or 5% of the profession,” she thinks.
Private clinics everywhere
A quick search on the Internet reveals that there are private aesthetic clinics almost everywhere in Belgium, with a wide range of services offered, particularly for the skin. According to a report from the International Society of Aesthetic Surgery, nearly 200,000 cosmetic procedures took place in Belgium in 2016. But, on the one hand, it is therefore difficult to have a precise view of the aesthetic activity of dermatologists. And, on the other hand, we must distinguish dermatologists who do only that from those who complement their activity with aesthetics.
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This does not take away anything from the initial problem, that of the time devoted to these aesthetic services. “This means that part of the time available is not dedicated to patients,” summarizes Jacques de Toeuf.
Dermatologists respond to a request
The problem, explains Béatrice De Donder, is that “dermatologists are paid too little”. The fees are 38.22 euros per consultation of 15 to 20 minutes, according to her. “And we have to pay for everything with that: the building, the equipment, etc. The fees are undervalued.” Moreover, “more than two thirds of dermatologists are not approved” and therefore charge supplements.
In this context, aesthetic interventions would be a complementary source of income. “But we are also responding to a growing demand,” says Dr De Donder. It is an evolution of society influenced by social networks which promote aesthetics.”
That said, she further emphasizes, waiting lists are caused by many other phenomena than just aesthetic practice. She once more cites the level of remuneration which does not allow dermatologists to hire staff to help them; the increasing time devoted to oncology – “up 500% in twenty years” –; or even the no-show, these patients who do not honor their appointment and waste everyone’s time.
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