While the designations are found on the business cards and name plates of doctors across the island, they are not formally recognised by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC).

Now, the country's industry watchdog has reminded doctors to stop using them.

This comes after a growing number of doctors have taken to displaying their titles inappropriately - something that has the potential to mislead patients - the SMC said in a letter dated April 21 and sent to all doctors.

They have been given till the end of October to remove the titles from their name cards, letters, signboards, placards and fliers.

According to the letter signed by Professor K. Satku, registrar of the SMC, doctors will be allowed to display only titles from a list of 35 recognised specialities.

The list includes plastic surgeon, dermatologist and cardiologist, but not aesthetic specialist, a doctor who focuses on beauty treatments.

Although these requirements are already in place at the moment, doctors continue to flout the rules by displaying newly coined words next to their names. A Straits Times check on several websites found at least 10 doctors still doing so.

Although Prof Satku did not single out aesthetic medicine in the letter, many doctors in the field use unrecognised titles.

The letter also comes at a time when the Health Ministry is looking to regulate the industry, which is estimated to be worth $200 million a year.

The restriction on aesthetics-related titles drew mixed responses from doctors.

Dr Hong Soo Wan, president of the Singapore Society of Cosmetic Surgeons, called the reminder by SMC 'timely' and said it is a first step in regulating the industry.

'There are a lot of doctors using different designations which might not be recognised, for example aesthetics,' said Dr Hong. 'This move will prevent any misrepresentation to the public.'

But Dr Roy Chio, a general practitioner, disagreed, saying training programmes and guidelines, especially in the field of aesthetic medicine, should be in place before imposing such restrictions on doctors.

Dr Benjamin Yim, spokesman for the Society of Aesthetic Medicine, said the term aesthetic physician helps differentiate GPs practising family medicine from those who focus on beauty treatments. But, he said his society will 'remind members to comply with the rules' in order to prevent misrepresentation.

Patients The Straits Times spoke to welcomed the decision to do away with unrecognised titles.

Flight stewardess Sandy Koh, 33, said it will serve to end confusion over whether a doctor's qualifications are recognised.

Said Ms Koh: 'To me, when a doctor calls himself an aesthetic specialist, I would believe it and think it's real.'

The SMC said if doctors practise other branches of medicine that are not registered, they can list them under 'scope of practice' or 'clinical interests'.

They can also seek permission from the SMC to add other postgraduate qualifications.

jessicaj@sph.com.sg