Effect of surgical training course on performance of minor surgical procedures in family medicine physicians' offices: an observational study

To examine the influence of a practical surgical course on the number of minor surgical procedures performed by family physicians. We compared the number of minor surgical procedures performed by family physicians in 59 offices in the city of Osijek and surrounding rural area during 12 months before and after the 40-hour practical surgical course held in September 2006 by surgeons and family medicine specialists. Minor surgical procedures taught in the course included management of ingrown toenails, abscesses/comedones, and minor wounds, anesthesia application, disinfection, use and sterilization of surgical instruments, and antibiotic treatment. The number of minor surgical procedures performed in family medicine offices almost doubled (503 vs 906 after the course, P