Dermatology society launches ‘Seal of Excellence’

With the boom in dermatology industry, the Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) has embarked on a program that will unmask what it described as pseudo-dermatologists.

The program entails the display of "Seal of Excellence" in the clinics of PDS members to assure patients of their "legitimate dermatological practice and high-quality service for skin, nail and hair conditions." "This will distinguish the real dermatologists from the reel ones. This will be a good reminder for the public to patronize only the legitimate dermatologists," said Dr. Evangeline Handog, head of the PDS Task Force for Seal of Excellence.

The seal will be valid for two years. Its display outside a member’s private clinic, apart from other unethical practices, will constitute a violation and will warrant a withdrawal of the seal.

According to PDS president Ma. Lorna Frez, the past few years have seen the birth of many clinics and salons in the country that render dermatological services illegally.

These outlets are run by doctors who are not licensed to practice dermatology as well as non-doctors.

"Many of these people claim they are dermatologists but they are not. They perform dermatology and oftentimes, (their patients) suffer complications," Frez said.

At present, the PDS has only 661 members but those who are illegally practicing dermatology are four-fold.

The PDS is mandated to administer specialty licensure examination to physicians who want to focus on dermatology. 

Candidates for this test are required to complete a three-year uninterrupted training in accredited institutions.

But Frez lamented that the PDS has no authority to sanction pseudo-dermatologists precisely because they are not members of the society.

Ironically, these pseudo-dermatologists are the ones who become popular because they resort to advertising and sponsorship.

Frez said such practices are supposedly a no-no under the Code of Ethics of physicians but they are blatantly being disregarded by pseudo-dermatologists.

Dr. Modesto Llamas, president of the Philippine Medical Association (PMA), admitted that many doctors perform services that are beyond their specialization.

Llamas said this could be addressed if all doctors are integrated under the PMA, just like lawyers who automatically become members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines when they pass the Bar examination.

Under the integration scheme which the PMA is lobbying with Congress, the association will have the power to sanction erring members.