Is advertising of educational talks/ workshops/ lectures on psychological interventions for mental conditions to members of the public considered as a healthcare advertisement? If yes, are these advertisements subject to the requirements under Section 31A and B of the HCSA?
The Healthcare Services Act 2020 (HCSA) FAQs, Enhanced advertising control of healthcare service
Yes, advertising of educational talks/ workshops/ lectures on psychological interventions for mental conditions to members of public by HCSA licensees and non-HCSA licensees is considered as healthcare advertisement.
As such, these advertisements would need to adhere to the requirements under Section 31A and B of the HCSA.
However, if the educational talks/ workshops/ lectures and the publication of related information are restricted to only medical professionals (and not members of public), it is not considered a healthcare advertisement. As such, the requirements under Section 31A and B of the HCSA would not apply. For example, a workshop on psychological interventions conducted for medical professionals by IMH.
Related questions
Are licensees allowed to publicise events (e.g. public workshop, seminar or symposium) as free of charge/free admission?
Do the requirements under Section 31B of the HCSA apply to all clinical psychologists who wish to use the protected title, “Dr” in advertisements regardless of whether they practise at licensed (e.g., IMH and SGH) or non-licensed healthcare service providers (e.g. private psychological service providers/ clinics)?
Why are HCSA licensees allowed to claim that they can treat conditions of the human body in advertisement, while non-HCSA licensees (e.g., private psychological service providers/ clinics) are not allowed to do so? For example, IMH and SGH (HCSA-licensees) can state that their psychological services can treat mental conditions, while psychological service providers/ clinics (non-HCSA licensees) are not allowed to.
Should clinical psychologists become registered healthcare professionals in future (i.e., they are included under Second Schedule of the AHPA), would they still need to comply with Section 31A and B of the HCSA?
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