Authors (including presenting author) :
Lai PY (1), KW Chan (1), Ng TK (1), Luk W (1)
Affiliation :
Department of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care, Kowloon West Cluster
Introduction :
Surgical and orthopaedics problems are commonly encountered by family physicians. Some of them require minor procedures (minor OT) which can be performed in general out-patient clinic (GOPC) settings, such as excision of lumps and bumps. Though we have minor OT sessions in GOPC, most of the doctors are not competent enough to select appropriate cases and to perform those procedures due to lack of practical experience and appropriate training, most of these cases are referred to surgeons instead.
Family physicians should be equipped with essential skills to provide minor surgical procedures in the primary care setting so that patients can receive treatment earlier and the referrals and waiting time on surgical specialties can be reduced. However, to do so, a well-organized training workshop is needed to fill the gap.
Objectives :
To enhance the knowledge and practical skills of family doctors in performing minor OT in GOPC settings.
For better utilization of GOPC service on minor surgical procedures and reduce referral to other specialties.
Methodology :
We started to organize a basic surgical skill workshop (BSSW) yearly since 2015. In the workshop, we provided lectures followed by hands-on session in common minor surgical procedures in primary care setting. Each participant was provided with a real pig’s leg model for practice of excision of different kinds of lesions and suturing skills. A post-programme questionnaire in a 5 points Likert scale was designed for evaluation.
Result & Outcome :
37 doctors had completed the BSSW from 2015-2018. The response rate was 89%. All evaluation results were positive. (Mean score ranged from 4.3 to 4.9 out of 5). All of them agreed that the topics are relevant, the level of difficulty of the workshop was appropriate to our daily practice. The lectures, demonstration and hands-on practice are useful in learning. All of them agreed that, after the workshop, they learnt more about basic surgical skills, had more confidence in booking suitable cases for minor OT in GOPC and in performing minor OT in GOPC. All doctors were satisfied with the programme as a whole and would recommend our colleagues to attend the workshop next year. Conclusion: BSSW can improve family doctors’ knowledge and skills in performing minor OT in GOPC settings. This results in better utilization of GOPC service and reduces referral to other specialties. It can also promote the professional image of family doctors as a gatekeeper.
Co-location with:
