Cosmetic Surgery in Austria
A guide to plastic surgery regulations in Austria
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Austria has one of the world's most respected medical traditions. A social welfare system was put in place in the 1800s. Some of the most important developments in medicine and patient care were pioneered in Austria. That experience shows in the profession today, regulation is highly developed with both federal and local programmes to insure the highest quality of care.
Organizations
The Austrian Medical Chamber represents medical professionals. There is a federal division of the Chamber into the 9 Länder (federal governmental units).
The Quality Assurance & Quality Management in Medicine (OEQMed) is tasked by the Medical Chamber with imposing quality levels for clinics and physicans. In 2008 all clinics should have been reviewed by OEQMed: assesment is valid for 5 years.
The Austrian Society of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeons is the official professional society that Plastic Surgeons in Austria must be members of. The society has an online facility for verifying surgeons are part of its membership.
Education
Each of Austria's 3 medical schools follows a 6 year (12 semester) programme for initial qualification as a medical doctor.
Austria has over 17,000 practicing specialists - with Plastic Surgery(Plastische Chirurgie) a recognized medical specialty with a mimimun of 6 years registrar experience required for recognition as "Facharzt für Plastische Chirurgie" (Specialist in Plastic Surgery).
Continuing medical education (CME) is on a voluntary basis. Uptake has been high and accreditation of training facilities is highly regulated. A diploma of continuing education can be earned by acquiring 120 CME points in a 3 year period (1 point = 45minutes of training).
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Complaints
Each Länder had an ombudsman to deal with patient complaints. The ombudsman is independant - both politically and of the medical profession.
Storage and Access to Medical Records
Among the rights defined by law of patients in Austria are: the right to privacy; the right to medical confidentiality, discretion and secrecy; a patient's right to view their medical records and obtain a copy of them.
Austria is in compliance with EU regulations on data protection.
Resources
Austrian Medical Chamber
Weihburggasse 10-12
A-1010 Wien
email: post@aerztekammer.at
website: http://www.aerztekammer.at/
The Austrian Society of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeons
website: http://www.plastischechirurgie.org/