Training for minor surgery in general practice: is it adequate?

To assess training and operative practice in minor surgery a postal questionnaire was sent to all general practitioners practising in the Scottish Highlands and Western Isles in 1992. Information was requested regarding the type and adequacy of surgical training, operations performed, the desire for surgical skills training and possible methods of assessment. Seventy per cent (144/205) of general practitioners (GPs) replied to the questionnaire. Teaching in minor surgery had been received by 74% of GPs (107/144), yet 43% (62) considered their training inadequate. Although confident to suture simple wounds or excise skin lesions from the trunk, significantly fewer were confident to excise such lesions from the face (P < 0.001, 1 df, Chi square test). From 86% of GPs (124/144) who wished to attend a training course on minor surgery, 62% (77) would prefer to be taught on patients and 36% (45) on a realistic skin simulator. Assessment of technical competence by a hospital consultant was considered desirable by 56% (80/144) either on patients 40% (57), or using a skin simulator 38% (54). While most GPs receive some training in minor surgery, there is a perceived need for improved training. The use of a skin simulator may allow both the teaching and assessment of surgical competence for GPs who undertake minor surgery.