Aesthetic medicine during COVID‐19: Patient perspectives and motivations amidst a pandemic

To the editor, There have been immense worldwide changes to life and practice of medicine dermatology in last few months due COVID-19 pandemic.1, 2 In March 2020, there was mandated closure all nonessential services British Columbia, Canada midst pandemic.3 As per local regulatory public health authorities, Humphrey Cosmetic Dermatology closed patients for 8 weeks. Aligned with reopening other ambulatory medical clinics we welcomed back into our clinic increased environmental personal safety measures.4 an effort improve patient care, endeavored characterize attitudes, perceptions, motivations receiving aesthetic treatments amidst pandemic. We designed a short quantitative survey understand factors affecting perceptions comfort at their most recent visit treatment during identified 221 who attended first 4 weeks upon reopening. invited them participate through personalized email anonymized link hosted Qualtrics XM. The viewed by 55 completed 49 (89% overall response rate) 72 hours after distribution. At clinic, implemented rigorous controls measures following guidance low-risk clinic. focused on perceived how these individual influence levels. On 5-point Likert scale (from extremely comfortable uncomfortable), 42 (85.7%) responded as “extremely comfortable” when asked “compared prior visits did you feel your visit?”. Zero reported feeling somewhat or uncomfortable. When rating influencing comfort, trust team cardinal, rated important (n = 40, 81.6%) very 9, 18.4%) respondents. This followed importance prescreening protocols, masks, face shields worn providers, then (Table 1). overwhelming ensuring reiterates us fundamental doctor-patient relationship medicine. comparing level activities, respondents were more than grocery store (87.5%), pharmacy (75.0%), gym (90.9%), place work (57.9%), hairdresser (54.6%) whether changed COVID, “What are reasons coming now treatment?”. Major motivators pandemic continue previously scheduled treatments, do something positive, refresh look, gain confidence, address concern 11 (22.45%) acknowledged that COVID has priorities. posed question “when reflecting pandemic, unable treatment?” replied themes frustration, anxiety, stress, disappointment. However, sentiments surrounding understanding value priority also relayed. results this single-center being shared inform others experience resuming treatments. Patient is paramount perception return above resumption clinical care. Our overwhelmingly endorse self-care doing positive data supports findings study available primarily Table 1; any further can be requested from corresponding author.