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Evaluation of minor surgery courses for general practitioners
1Department of General Practice and Primary Care, St George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK.
Medical Education
|September 1, 1996
Summary
A minor surgery training course significantly boosted general practitioners' and trainees' confidence and competence. Despite unrealistic simulated tissue, participants reported increased knowledge and skills for performing minor surgical procedures.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Surgical Training
- General Practice
Background:
- Minor surgery training is crucial for general practitioners (GPs) and vocational trainees.
- A need for standardized training and guidelines in minor surgery within general practice was identified.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a two-day minor surgery training course for GPs and vocational trainees.
- To assess the impact of the training on participant knowledge, confidence, and competence.
Main Methods:
- A pilot program of six courses was conducted across the UK in 1994.
- 144 participants (52 GPs, 92 trainees) attended the courses.
- Evaluation focused on training process, participant feedback, and outcomes using simulated tissue.
Main Results:
- The training course underwent significant revisions based on pilot feedback.
- Use of simulated tissue, though not highly realistic, substantially improved participant confidence and competence.
- Participant knowledge regarding minor surgery increased significantly.
Conclusions:
- The evaluated minor surgery training course effectively enhanced participant skills and knowledge.
- Feedback from the evaluation informed the development of national guidelines for minor surgery in general practice.
- Simulated tissue is a valuable tool for improving surgical confidence and competence in training settings.