Reserch on the Information Provision of the Aesthetic Medical Service in the Aesthetic Medical Institutions’ Websites

Abstract

 This study aimed to clarify the current status of information provision on aesthetic medical institutions’ websites by examining compliance with guidelines on medical advertising and improvements in the situation over the past years. The websites of 22 aesthetic medical institutions engaged in private practice in Hokkaido were studied within the period between September 1 and 11,2014 by the following methods: 1) examining links for banner advertising; 2) identifying institutions not complying with the 17 evaluation items defined in the guidelines and the details of such non-compliance; and 3) comparing the results with those of a survey conducted in 2012. Being linked with banner advertisements, all 22 websites were within the scope of advertising regulation. Non-compliance with the following 3 evaluation items was observed the most frequently: unapproved medical devices based on the former Pharmaceutical Affairs Law (21 institutions); specialty licenses not certified by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and, Welfare (20); and photographs before and after surgery for comparison (18). On comparison of the results with those in 2012, a large number of medical institutions did not show improvements in the evaluation items. Considering that the websites of all 22 aesthetic medical institutions in Hokkaido were within the scope of advertising regulation, it may be necessary for the government and municipalities to promptly adopt appropriate measures, such as strengthening administrative guidance systems and related laws/regulations, in addition to enhancing recognition of the guidelines among those involved.