Minor surgical procedures in primary care in Bahrain: Attitudes, barriers, and implications

Area of Science:

• Primary Health Care
• Surgical Procedures
• Physician Attitudes

Background:

• Minor surgical procedures (MSPs) are essential in primary health care for treating common ailments efficiently.
• This study examines the current status of MSPs in Bahrain's local health centers.
• It explores primary care physicians' (PCPs) attitudes and challenges regarding MSPs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the current practice of MSPs by PCPs in Bahrain.
• To understand PCPs' attitudes towards performing MSPs.
• To identify barriers hindering PCPs from performing MSPs.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 367 PCPs in Bahrain.
• Utilized a validated questionnaire to collect data on demographics, attitudes, frequency, and barriers related to MSPs.

Main Results:

• 75.1% of Bahraini PCPs perform MSPs.
• Most PCPs view MSPs positively, recognizing patient benefits.
• Key barriers include lack of training (90.5%), clinical experience (78.6%), and time (72.6%).
• Female physicians reported significantly higher barriers than males.

Conclusions:

• Enhanced support is crucial for PCPs performing MSPs in Bahrain.
• Targeted interventions, including improved training and resource allocation, are needed.
• Addressing barriers can empower PCPs to expand their scope and improve patient care.