Just 9% of study participants could correctly match a practitioner’s title to their level of educational training, according to a new survey in Dermatologic Surgery.
The findings strengthen the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association’s (ASDSA) call for policies requiring disclosure of licensure and board certification to protect patients and ensure informed decision-making.
This study surveyed more than 1,000 California adults and found that 91% of adults stated that an accurate understanding of their clinician’s qualifications was essential for providing informed consent, and 88% supported legislation to restrict the use of “doctor” and “-ologist” titles to physicians only.
“Understandable language in title transparency and direct-to-patient communication help ensure patients can make informed choices about who is taking care of them,” says M. Laurin Council, MD, MBA, President of ASDS/A, in a news release. “This study underscores the need for title transparency.”
ASDSA supports policies that require disclosure of licensure and training in medical advertising and in all patient interactions, including postings in healthcare settings and on staff identification badges. The organization also supports protections of the terms “medical doctor,” “doctor of osteopathic medicine,” and “board-certified dermatologist” to designate physicians who have completed accredited training and certification. Equally important is explicit differentiation between board-certified dermatologists and non-physicians in all forms of communication.
The Association strongly opposes false and misleading advertising, including claims of board certification from unaccredited entities, as well as the misuse of the title “dermatologist” by those who are not board-certified dermatologists. ASDSA also warns against the use of AI-generated or digitally altered images in advertising that create deceptive or unrealistic expectations about dermatologic and aesthetic procedures.
ASDSA urges policymakers to adopt measures that ensure accuracy in advertising and professional representation, including prohibiting deceptive terminology; requiring clear identification of licensure; and mandating that photos, testimonials, and claims reflect average patient results without alteration.
