Where research is needed: Protected Titles

We can’t protect what we don’t understand. Research here explores how title protection could impact trust, behaviour, and safety—for the public, for practitioners, and for referrers like GPs.

Core research questions:

1. Do protected titles help the public know who to trust?

2. Would NHS professionals refer more confidently with clearer titles?

3. Could protected titles reduce complaints and harm?

4. Does title confusion (e.g. 'skin specialist', 'aesthetician', 'skin therapist') lead to public misunderstanding of qualifications and risk?

5. How do clients currently choose a skin practitioner—and would a protected title influence their choice?

6. What level of training do the public believe different titles require? (vs. actual standards)

7. Could protected skin titles be recognised as part of the public health workforce — like dietitians or physiotherapists — with defined training, clear scope, and NHS-aligned roles?

8. Would protected titles encourage better career progression and clearer CPD routes across the skin sector?

9. Could protected titles reduce insurance costs by giving insurers clearer benchmarks of competence?

10. How do international models (e.g. in Australia) use protected titles to distinguish regulated skin roles?

11. Does regulating what we do to the skin go far enough — or should we also regulate who works on it, in any capacity?