The Effect of a Surgical Skills Course on Confidence Levels of Rural General Practitioners: An Observational Study

Objective To investigate the effect of a short surgical skills course on general practitioners' confidence levels to perform procedural skills. Design Prospective observational study. Setting The Clinical Evaluation and Training Centre, a practical skills-based educational facility, at The University of Western Australia. Participants Medical practitioners who participated in these courses. Nurses, physiotherapists, and medical students were excluded. The response rate was 61% with 61 participants providing 788 responses for pre- and postcourse confidence levels regarding various surgical skills. Intervention One- to two-day surgical skills courses consisting of presentations, demonstrations, and practical stations, facilitated by specialists. Main Outcome Measures A two-page precourse and postcourse questionnaire was administered to medical practitioners on the day. Participants rated their confidence levels to perform skills addressed during the course on a 4-point Likert scale. Results Of the 788 responses regarding confidence levels, 621 were rated as improved postcourse, 163 were rated as no change, and 4 were rated as lower postcourse. Seven of the courses showed a 25% median increase in confidence levels, and one course demonstrated a 50% median increase. All courses showed statistically significant results ( p < 0.001). Conclusion A short surgical skills course resulted in a statistically significant improvement in the confidence levels of rural general practitioners to perform these skills.