Global Trend: Taiwan to Restrict Aesthetic medicine Practice to Residency-Trained Doctors
Amid growing international concern over patient safety, Taiwan is poised to tighten regulations surrounding the practice of aesthetic medicine. The Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to implement a law amendment, effective January 1, 2025, restricting skin and beauty procedures to physicians who have completed formal residency training.
The move reflects a broader global trend toward increased oversight of the rapidly expanding field of cosmetic procedures. Reports of medical accidents linked to inadequately trained practitioners have fueled the push for stricter standards, particularly in countries where immediate practice after medical school graduation is common.
According to Taiwanese media outlet Minbo (Taiwan People News), the revised ‘Management of the Implementation or Use of Specific Medical Technology Testing and Examination Medical Devices’ bill aims to address a rising social problem. The Ministry of Health and welfare is seeking to eliminate instances of doctors securing employment or opening businesses at aesthetic clinics immediately after obtaining thier medical licenses, without further specialized training.
“If cosmetic medicine involves procedures,a surgeon’s license must be obtained,and high-risk procedures must be performed by a designated specialist,” stated a senior official from the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Medical Human Resources Division. “Doctors who have completed training can only perform non-invasive treatments such as lasers and injections.” The amendment will also require doctors already in practice to undergo re-education at a teaching hospital to maintain their credentials.
Though, the proposed legislation isn’t without its critics. A representative from the Taipei City Doctors’ union voiced concerns about the lack of concrete data linking medical aesthetic accidents to doctors without professional training.”I agree with raising the entry barrier for aesthetic medical practitioners for patient safety reasons, but there is no evidence that medical aesthetic accidents are caused by doctors without professional training,” the union representative explained. “Detailed data on the ratio, such as whether cosmetic surgery accidents are caused by untrained doctors, has not been disclosed. The Ministry of health and Welfare should present related data first.”
The move by Taiwan mirrors similar actions taken elsewhere. France recently passed legislation restricting young doctors’ entry into the skin and beauty sector, requiring five years of regional health management (ARS) licensing. The french bill was amended during debate to place licensing authority with the Medical Association, and now mandates that doctors demonstrate relevant clinical experience, including formal education – a minimum of 90 hours of theory and 80 hours of practice – and at least three years of clinical practice to qualify in aesthetic medicine.
Simultaneously occurring, in South Korea, discussions continue regarding the implementation of an “opening cap system” to prevent young doctors from concentrating solely on specialized fields without adequate training.Lawmakers are also considering a “total hospital opening system” to address disparities in regional and essential medical care. Furthermore, the government’s ‘Reorganization of the Resident Training System Task Force’ is evaluating a “clinical training system” that would eliminate internships and require two
Why is this happening? Growing international concern over patient safety, fueled by reports of medical accidents linked to inadequately trained practitioners, is driving the trend. Countries are responding to a perceived risk of unqualified doctors performing aesthetic procedures immediately after medical school.
Who is involved? The key players include the Ministries of Health and Welfare in Taiwan, lawmakers and medical associations in France and South Korea, and aesthetic medicine practitioners. The Taipei City Doctors’ union is also voicing concerns.
What is changing? Taiwan is implementing a law amendment restricting aesthetic procedures to residency-trained physicians. France has passed legislation requiring five years of ARS licensing and demonstrated clinical experience. South Korea is debating systems to prevent specialization without adequate training.
How did it end? The situation is ongoing. Taiwan’s law takes effect January 1, 2
