Psychosocial Screening in Aesthetic Injectable Practice: Assessing the Role of Screening in Patient Selection and Outcomes in Physician-Associate-Led Care

Authors

• Andres Melo, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Aesthetic Medicine

Advisor

Dr. Lawrence Herman

Abstract

As minimally invasive aesthetic injectable procedures expand, structured psychological assessment remains an underdeveloped component of patient selection despite growing evidence that psychological factors influence treatment outcomes. Body dysmorphic disorder, unrealistic treatment expectations, and other psychological characteristics may contribute to patient dissatisfaction despite technically successful procedures, highlighting the need for more structured approaches to preprocedural evaluation. This clinical review evaluated the current evidence on psychological screening in patients seeking aesthetic injectable procedures and assessed the role of validated screening instruments in patient selection and clinical outcomes within physician associate-led practice. A literature review was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL Complete, and the Cochrane Library, supplemented by manual reference searches. Twenty-three eligible sources were synthesized using a thematic approach to evaluate psychological factors, body dysmorphic disorder, validated psychological screening instruments, and their implications for patient selection in aesthetic injectable practice. Evidence suggests that psychological factors influence treatment satisfaction, patient-reported outcomes, and overall treatment success. Body dysmorphic disorder emerged as a clinically significant psychological condition in aesthetic medicine, while validated screening instruments—including the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire, Cosmetic Procedure Screening Questionnaire, and Cosmetic Readiness Questionnaire—showed promise as adjuncts to clinical judgment for identifying patients who may benefit from additional evaluation before treatment. Although screening has not been shown to improve long-term outcomes, integrating standardized psychological screening into physician associate-led aesthetic practice may support evidence-based patient selection, support ethical clinical decision-making, and promote more patient-centered aesthetic care.

Recommended Citation

Melo A. Psychosocial Screening in Aesthetic Injectable Practice: Assessing the Role of Screening in Patient Selection and Outcomes in Physician-Associate-Led Care. University of Lynchburg Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2026; 8(3).