Journal-based CME Course: Facial Disfigurement and Identity: A Review of the Literature and Implications for Facial Transplantation

Activity ID

10762

Expires

March 19, 2027

Format Type

Journal-based

CME Credit

Fee

$30

CME Provider: AMA Journal of Ethics

Description of CME Course

Facial disfigurement can significantly affect personal identity and access to social roles. Although conventional reconstruction can have positive effects with respect to identity, these procedures are often inadequate for more severe facial defects. In these cases, facial transplantation (FT) offers patients a viable reconstructive option. However, FT’s effect on personal identity has been less well examined, and ethical questions remain regarding the psychosocial ramifications of the procedure. This article reviews the literature on the different roles of the face as well as psychological and social effects of facial disfigurement. The effects of facial reconstruction on personal identity are also reviewed with an emphasis on orthognathic, cleft, and head and neck surgery. Finally, FT is considered in this context, and future directions for research are explored.

Disclaimers

1. This activity is accredited by the American Medical Association.
2. This activity is free to AMA members.

ABMS Member Board Approvals by Type

ABMS Lifelong Learning CME Activity

Allergy and Immunology

Anesthesiology

Colon and Rectal Surgery

Family Medicine

Medical Genetics and Genomics

Nuclear Medicine

Ophthalmology

Pathology

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Plastic Surgery

Preventive Medicine

Psychiatry and Neurology

Radiology

Thoracic Surgery

Urology

More Information

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NOTE: If a Member Board has not deemed this activity for MOC approval as an accredited CME activity, this activity may count toward an ABMS Member Board’s general CME requirement. Please refer directly to your Member Board’s MOC Part II Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment Program Requirements.

General Information on CME Activity

Educational Objectives

At the end of this activity, you will be able to:
1. Explain a new or unfamiliar viewpoint on a topic of ethical or professional conduct;
2. Evaluate the usefulness of this information for health care practice, teaching, or conduct;
3. Decide whether and when to apply the new information to health care practice, teaching, or conduct.

Keywords

Ethics, Facial Plastic Surgery, Facial Reconstruction, Head and Neck Reconstruction, Head and Neck Surgery

Competencies

Medical Knowledge, Professionalism

CME Credit Type

AMA PRA Category 1 Credit

DOI

10.1001/journalofethics.2018.20.4.peer1-1804