BCAM Pioneers Data Collection In 20th Anniversary Annual Clinical Review

The British College of Aesthetic Medicine has unveiled the results of the 2021 BCAM Annual Clinical Review, the UK’s only audit of treatments carried out by doctors and dentists practising aesthetic medicine.

The College has been collecting and sharing data since the organisation was founded in 2001, working closely with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to provide insights that help to guide and inform government thinking. BCAM is the national leader in data collection in the aesthetic medicine sector and this year’s audit marks the College’s 20^th anniversary, a huge milestone that has been celebrated with complete modernisation and the launch of a new logo and website.

The 2021 audit covers just under 299,000 individual treatment episodes conducted by 340 healthcare professionals, including 147,000 for botulinum toxin – the most frequently conducted treatment. The College has a diverse membership, with a 50/50 split between male and female members and wide representation from across the globe.

BCAM President Dr Uliana Gout said: “In our 20^th anniversary year, we are delighted to share the results of the 2021 BCAM Annual Clinical Review. The College is pioneering data collection, sharing insights and trends with stakeholders including the DHSC to pursue its charitable aims of patient education and safety.

“BCAM is the only professional body that collects data on this scale and we are proud to be leading with facts not opinions, making evidence-based decisions about BCAM’s strategies and informing the wider aesthetic medicine community about our members’ clinical activity.”

The audit has been expanded in recent years to ask more detailed questions about members’ patients and treatments. The 2021 Annual Clinical Review once again highlighted the issue of BCAM members treating complications from procedures carried out by non-healthcare professionals, especially botulinum toxin injections and fillers.

The top five treatments most frequently performed by BCAM members, according to the audit were:

• Toxin injections
• HA dermal fillers
• Mesotherapy
• PRP
• Laser/IPL

BCAM Trustee Dr Aggie Zatonska, who coordinated the Annual Clinical Review on behalf of the College, said: “BCAM will continue to use members’ data and surveys to influence its future planning and we look forward to working collaboratively with stakeholders in 2022 to further improve patient safety and campaign for better regulation.

“Our members’ wellbeing is a top priority and in 2021 we launched the BCAM 20^th Anniversary Mindfulness and Wellbeing Initiative, coordinated by Trustee Dr Bhavjit Kaur, to support them at a challenging time when they were struggling with the additional pressure. Collecting data and information from our members helps to inform the College’s activities and ensure we are responding to members’ needs.”

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