Patient autonomy in choosing aesthetic procedures Fernando Reverendo Vidal Akaoui, Bruno Fernando Barbosa Teixeira Tasso

Abstract

Background: People are currently seeking alternative aesthetic procedures to plastic surgery, and in Brazil, other professional classes have been legalized to provide these services. Problem: whether the professionals who perform aesthetic treatments have promoted patient autonomy in deciding which procedures will be performed and, if they do promote such autonomy, how are they fulfilling this ethical and legal obligation? Objectives: The objective of this article is to demonstrate the indispensability of promoting patient autonomy, including presenting how the professional should fulfill this obligation. Methods: Literature review methods were used to support the research and the hypothetical-deductive method to promote discussion on the topic. Results: Patient autonomy includes their power to choose the procedures and treatments that are offered by the professional who treats them. Conclusions: the other professional categories that perform aesthetic procedures have in their codes of ethics the observance of patient autonomy, except for biomedical professionals. All councils have regulated the performance of their members in aesthetic practices, reviewing the legality of the performance of such professionals.