A Systematic Review on the Current Trend in Nonsurgical Aesthetic Training for Knowledge, Skill, and Professional Identity Formation

Background: Non-surgical aesthetics is a rapidly growing healthcare domain and lacks pedagogically sound education and training programs. The trainee physicians often participate in short courses which are outside of the scope of an existing postgraduate training program to acquire the necessary knowledge and procedural skills. However, such training programs lack values and interests that shape critical thinking and holistic decision-making, often referred to as professional identity. Objectives: This systematic review aims to analyze current trends in non-surgical aesthetic clinical education to form knowledge, skills, and professional identity. Methods: A detailed literature search was conducted in electronic databases-PubMed, Cochrane, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, and Google Scholar-for relevant studies published between January 2010 and December 2020, with an update in September 2021. Results: Fifty-five articles were identified through electronic searches, among which 40 were selected following a review of the abstracts. Sixteen articles were identified as the best evidence for the detailed and iterative review based on their relevance and fit to the inclusion criteria. Unfortunately, none of the included studies designed their questionnaire based on the Kirkpatrick Model, which is best known for analyzing and evaluating the results of training and educational programs. Conclusions: This systematic review provides valuable insight into graduate professional identity formation and graduates' readiness for independent clinical practice. Therefore, particular consideration should be given to incorporating these triggers when developing evidence-based postgraduate curricula for non-surgical aesthetics.