What is a Good Faith Exam? [Medical Spa]

If you run a med spa, you’ll know that building trust with clients makes all the difference.

But does the journey to turn a first-time patient into a loyal customer begin? It all starts with the good faith exam (GFE).

This seemingly routine step holds massive importance — it's the foundation for safe, effective treatments and a thriving med spa practice.

So, how can you conduct the good faith exam to unlock both patient satisfaction and long-term success? We’ll answer that question right here.

What is a good faith exam (GFE)?

Good Faith Exams (GFEs) are essential for your med spa's safety and compliance. They are in-depth consultations conducted by a qualified medical professional (physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant) before any treatment is performed on a client.

Here's what GFEs do for your business:

• Reduce risk: By thoroughly reviewing a client's medical history and current health, potential risks associated with a treatment can be identified.
  
  This allows you to make informed decisions about whether a procedure is suitable for the client, minimizing complications and protecting your med spa.

• Informed consent: The GFE provides a platform for open communication. Clients can ask questions and discuss all their options, ensuring they fully understand the treatment and potential side effects before consenting.

• Compliance: GFEs are a legal requirement in many areas. Having documented proof of a thorough GFE protects your med spa in case of any legal issues.

Who can conduct a good faith exam?

Please note: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is recommended to consult with your respective state boards, a licensed attorney, or your malpractice carrier to ensure that you are practicing within the letter of the law and adhering to all regulatory requirements. The regulations regarding aesthetic treatments and medical spas can vary from state to state and may change over time.

Here's a breakdown of the licensed medical professionals who can conduct them, ensuring both patient safety and adherence to regulations:

• Physicians (MDs): Board-certified doctors have the highest level of training. They can perform any GFE and administer all med spa treatments.

• Physician assistants (PAs): PAs can conduct GFEs and administer many treatments depending on their training. The MD can sign off on their notes and give the clearance for treatment to continue according to the plan.

• Advanced practice nurses (APNs): Nurse practitioners (NPs) and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) can perform GFEs and administer certain treatments within their state-defined scope of practice.

Registered nurses (RNs) can’t independently conduct good faith exams or generate treatment orders without oversight from a medical director.

What goes into a good faith exam?

Beyond keeping your clients safe during procedures, a well-executed GFE minimizes liability for your practice and builds trust with your clients — all crucial ingredients for long-term business success.

Part 1: Getting a detailed medical history

The first part of a good faith exam delves into the patient's medical history. This detailed conversation goes beyond ticking boxes. The goal is to gather crucial intel to ensure patient safety and optimize treatment outcomes. 

Asking questions:

By asking the right questions, you’ll find out if the client has any potential medical conditions or allergies that could interact with treatments. This helps minimize risks for both the client and your practice.

Informed consent:

This is an essential step before any treatment begins. A comprehensive medical history empowers clients to make informed decisions about their options.

Developing a personalized treatment plan:

Understanding a client's medical background allows you to tailor treatment plans to their unique needs and goals. This personalized approach leads to higher satisfaction and better outcomes.

Here's what you should aim to uncover during a good faith exam:

• Current medications: A complete list of medications, including over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements, is crucial. Identifying potential interactions with med spa treatments is essential for client safety.

• Past medical history: Details of past medical conditions, surgeries, and allergies help identify any contraindications for specific treatments.

• Family medical history: Certain conditions can influence treatment suitability. Gathering this information provides a more holistic view of potential health considerations.

• Lifestyle habits: Factors like smoking, alcohol consumption, and sun exposure can impact skin health and treatment effectiveness. Understanding these habits will help you provide better advice and treatment direction for your clients.

Part 2: Performing the physical examination

The physical examination is a close-up assessment of the specific area that the client wants treatment for. By understanding the client's unique anatomy and skin condition, you can offer the most effective treatments for their specific needs.

Plus, when clients feel their concerns are thoroughly addressed through a detailed exam, they feel more confident and trusting in your practice.

Here’s what a physical examination will look at:

The physical examination during a good faith exam goes beyond a simple check-up. It's a targeted investigation that provides crucial information for selecting the safest and most effective treatment for your client.

Here’s what it involves and why it matters:

• Vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature): These basic vitals offer a snapshot of the client's overall health.
  
  Elevated blood pressure, for instance, might be a concern before procedures like laser treatments, which can generate heat. Similarly, a fever could indicate an underlying infection that could postpone treatment until resolved.

• Age: Chronological age isn't the only factor, but it does influence how your client's skin responds to treatments.
  
  As we age, skin loses elasticity and collagen production slows. Knowing a client's age helps guide treatment selection.
  
  For example, while Dysport or Botox might be a great option for addressing wrinkles in younger clients, a more volumizing filler might be a better choice for clients with deeper wrinkles associated with aging.

• Height and weight: These metrics might seem unrelated to aesthetics, but they can be crucial for certain treatments.
  
  For example, IV drip therapies often involve precise dosage calculations based on the patient's weight and body composition.
  
  Knowing these numbers ensures the patient receives the correct amount of medication or nutrients for optimal results.

• Skin assessment: This is where the magnifying glass comes in handy! A close examination of the skin in the targeted area unveils a wealth of information.
  
  Factors like skin texture, tone, sun damage, and the presence of wrinkles or blemishes all influence treatment selection.
  
  For example, treating acne scars requires a different approach than addressing sun damage or fine lines.

• Muscle tone and symmetry: This aspect is particularly important for procedures involving neuromodulators like Botox or Dysport and fillers.
  
  These treatments work by relaxing or volumizing specific muscles. Assessing muscle tone and symmetry ensures the treatment achieves the desired aesthetic effect without compromising facial expressions or creating an unbalanced appearance.

• Vascular assessment: Evaluating blood flow in the treatment area helps identify potential risks for complications like bruising or bleeding after certain procedures.
  
  For instance, clients with a history of easy bruising might benefit from pre-treatment measures to minimize this side effect.
  
  Vascular assessment is also important for procedures involving lasers or injections, as these can cause minor disruptions to blood vessels in the treated area.

When do you need to perform a good faith exam?

A GFE is mandatory before a client receives their first med spa treatment, regardless of the procedure. By gathering this information, you can create a safe and effective treatment plan tailored to the client's individual needs and goals.

For ongoing treatment plans using the same modalities on a stable client, a GFE is usually not required before every single session.

However, there are key situations where a GFE is a must:

• First-time clients: Before any treatment, a GFE is mandatory for all new clients. It allows the healthcare provider to understand their medical history, current health status, and aesthetic goals.

• Significant time-lapse: If a significant amount of time has passed since a client's last treatment (typically a year or more), a follow-up GFE is recommended.
  
  This ensures their medical history remains current and identifies any potential changes that might impact treatment suitability.

• Change in treatment plan: Are you proposing a new treatment modality to a client, or suggesting a significant adjustment to the existing plan? A GFE is crucial to assess if the new approach aligns with the client's current health status and to address any potential concerns.

• Change in health status: Has the client experienced a new medical diagnosis, undergone surgery, or started new medications?

In such cases, a GFE is necessary to re-evaluate their suitability for the planned treatment and ensure their safety.

Follow-up GFEs

There isn't a universally mandated timeframe for follow-up GFEs. However, most experts recommend performing them at least annually for established clients, especially if they're receiving ongoing treatment plans.

That way, your records stay current, and potential health changes are identified before any future procedures.

The decision to perform a follow-up GFE rests with the qualified healthcare provider (physician, PA, or NP) based on their professional judgment.

Launch in 30 days with Moxie

Moxie empowers hundreds of aspiring med spa owners across the country to launch faster, manage their operations, and achieve real success.

We help you go from idea to launch and ease the burden of legal work and paperwork, so you can focus on what you do best — providing exceptional care to your clients.

Here's how Moxie can help your med spa thrive:

• Find a medical director: Moxie can connect you with a medical director to oversee your med spa operations, fulfill compliance requirements and conduct good faith exams.

• Software that works for you: Create and review patient notes with ease making coordination between your medical director and medspa smooth and error-free.

• Faster, more affordable launch: Get up and running 3x faster and at half the cost compared to going at it alone.

• Hands-on, expert coaching: Our dedicated coaches meet with you regularly to support your growth, give you hands-on help, and guide you through the process of growing your med spa.

Book a Free Strategy Session Today and See How We Can Help.