Medical and Professional Ethics: Spotlight on Honesty with Patients

The document discusses the ethical responsibilities of hair transplant surgeons, emphasizing the importance of honesty and transparency with patients. It refers to the ISHRS Code of Ethics, which mandates that doctors should not betray the trust of their patients. The document highlights the need for surgeons to be open about potential complications, the number of grafts that can be realistically achieved, and the difference between "follicles" and "grafts". It also discusses the ethical implications of charging practices, such as whether patients should be refunded for grafts not achieved or charged extra for additional grafts. The document further criticizes practices where every patient consultation is expected to lead to surgery, arguing that financial gain should never supersede patient welfare. It encourages surgeons to advise patients honestly, even if it means telling them that they are not suitable for a hair transplant.