Teaching Physicians Procedural Skills at a National Professional Meeting

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Procedural Training

Background:

• Practicing physicians seek to enhance procedural skills.
• Limited educational opportunities hinder skill development.

Purpose of the Study:

• Evaluate the impact of procedural workshops on physician confidence, proficiency, and practice.
• Assess the long-term effects of training.

Main Methods:

• Conducted workshops on skin biopsy and arthrocentesis.
• Collected post-course and 8-month follow-up evaluations from participants.

Main Results:

• High participant satisfaction with the training.
• Increased frequency of performing procedures post-workshop.
• Reduced patient referrals for procedures.
• Sustained increase in confidence eight months after training.

Conclusions:

• Procedural skills like skin biopsy and arthrocentesis can be effectively taught in workshop settings.
• National professional meetings provide a viable venue for such training.
• Workshop format enhances physician confidence and practice patterns.