Addressing Mental Wellness and Aesthetic Treatments with Leslie Fletcher
As a medical aesthetics business owner, patient experience is everything! This includes being open about discussing mental wellness issues that may impact the care of the patient if not properly addressed.
We talked with innovator and Board-certified Nurse Practitioner, Leslie Fletcher, NP-BC to find out how she curates a positive experience for her patients. As an aesthetic nurse practitioner since 2001, Fletcher holds a passion toward mental health.
At Mizzi, we wanted to understand how aesthetic practitioners can incorporate mental wellness into the patient experience. “First, we have to establish the need for this before recommending our providers do it, and show them how to do it," Fletcher responded.
“I’m not saying you can’t treat them. Just make sure to address their motivators frankly and verify that they are an appropriate candidate for treatment.”
Therefore, positive outcomes result when the reason why a patient desires a specific treatment is evaluated through screening and communication.
However, certain limiting factors can change how consultation is conducted. Use of questionnaires and validated screening tools can provide assessment, while open, face to face communication reveals additional useful cues for concerns. As one of our signature Mizzi RX L.I.P. Paradigm™️ strategies expresses, Listen with Invested Purpose!
Fletcher shared the following example questions that can be asked before treatments to address motivators:
"Are you under the current care of a psychiatrist or psychologist?”
“Do you have any needle phobias we need to be aware of?”
“Along the lines of phobias, we also screen for a few other relevant psychological disorders here.”
Creating a safe, confidential space for patients to express their mental wellness and concerns is key to gathering adequate information. As an aesthetic professional, it is important to allow sufficient time to observe your patient while actively listening during communication.
Fletcher has indicated the following staggering statistics and statements surrounding motivation and psychological functioning:
80% of patients reported injectable treatments had been “beneficial” to them, 50% reported greater confidence in their appearance, 76% reported feeling more comfortable with their bodies, 55% reported feeling more attractive, 30% reported that their emotional wellbeing had improved, 20% expected improvements at work following their treatment (Sommer et al., 2003).
Cosmetic procedures enhance patients' appearance and improve their psychological functioning (von Soest et al, 2009).
Cosmetic procedures are not medically necessary.
The impact of these procedures, therefore, falls within the psychological domain (Crerand, 2006).
Manifesting a healthy patient care experience means putting wellness forward!
~ The Mizzi Team
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Crerand, C. E., Franklin, M. E., & Sarwer, D. B. (2006). Body dysmorphic disorder and cosmetic surgery. Plastic and reconstructive surgery, 118(7), 167e–180e. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.prs.0000242500.28431.24
Sommer, B., Zschocke, I., Bergfeld, D., Sattler, G., & Augustin, M. (2003). Satisfaction of patients after treatment with botulinum toxin for dynamic facial lines. Dermatologic surgery, 29(5), 456-460.
von Soest, T., Kvalem, I. L., Roald, H. E., & Skolleborg, K. C. (2009). The effects of cosmetic surgery on body image, self-esteem, and psychological problems. Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS, 62(10), 1238–1244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2007.12.093