Developing a Competency Model for Sustainable Aesthetic Medicine

In a groundbreaking study, researchers from the National Taiwan Normal University have developed a sustainability-oriented competency model for physicians specializing in laser and energy-based device treatments. The model addresses the substantial environmental challenges posed by these treatments, including high energy consumption, carbon emissions, and disposable medical waste. By applying McClelland's Competency Model Theory (CMT), the researchers have identified 33 competencies across six domains that are essential for promoting low-carbon, socially accountable practices in aesthetic medicine.

Key Takeaways:

• The study applied McClelland's Competency Model Theory (CMT) to develop a sustainability-oriented competency model for physicians specializing in laser and energy-based device treatments.
• The final model consists of 33 competencies across six domains: sustainable operations, regulatory and ethical knowledge, physician-patient communication, dermatological science, EBD techniques, and maintenance care.
• Experts rated most competencies as highly or very highly important and frequently used, and Kendall's W confirmed significant consensus across domains.
• The model provides standardized competency benchmarks that can support future curriculum development, professional training, and sustainable healthcare governance.
• The study aims to promote low-carbon, socially accountable practices in aesthetic medicine and reduce ecological footprints.
• McClelland's Competency Model Theory (CMT) was extended into the field of environmental sustainability in medicine for the first time.
• The competency model was developed using a mixed-methods design and expert panel validation.
• National Taiwan Normal University's research team used a competency-based interview approach to identify key tasks and sustainability-related competencies.
• The competency model can be used to guide physicians in integrating environmental sustainability into aesthetic medicine.

Statistics:

• 33 competencies were identified across six domains in the sustainability-oriented competency model.
• 6 domains were identified in the competency model: sustainable operations, regulatory and ethical knowledge, physician-patient communication, dermatological science, EBD techniques, and maintenance care.
• Kendall's coefficient of concordance was used to validate the competency model.
• Kendall's W confirmed significant consensus across domains.
• 17, 2025, is the year of publication for the research.

Sources:

• Sustainability, 2025;17(18):8236.
• Mdpi, St Alban-Anlage 66, Ch-4052 Basel, Switzerland.
• Shiou-Ru Fan, National Taiwan Normal University, Dept. of Technology Applications & Human Resource Development, Taipei 106, Taiwan.