Measuring the knowledge and confidence of family medicine residents on doing minor surgical procedures in Taif, KSA

Background: Family doctors are being sought for positions in remote regions where there is no easy access to specialty facilities or high-tech equipment. A family physician's everyday practice includes dealing with surgical issues. While certain treatments are routinely performed in the hospital, others, such as come downs surgical care, abscesses, ingrown toe nails, or minor wound management, are considered more difficult, and these people are usually sent to a surgeon. This study was conducted to assess the level of knowledge and confidence among family medicine residents in 'I'aif, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is a cross-sectional observational descriptive study that started in July 2020. The study's population includes Family medicine residents in Taif, Saudi Arabia, at all levels from R1 to R4. The instrument used was an electronic questionnaire in English. Result: This study included responses from 114 family medicines residents from the western province of Saudi Arabia. The assessment of practices related to different M.S.P.s (minor surgical procedures) showed that 'wound closure and dressings' was the most common procedure performed independently by residents. The most common barriers in performing M.S.P.s were lack of training (49.1%), lack of trainers (49.1%), and lack of facilities (25.4%). Conclusion: Most of the F.M. residents had basic knowledge and were interested in improving their practicing skills related to M.S.P.s but were not confident enough to do certain procedures. Constant preceptor supervision and critical analysis while performing M.S.P.s in primary care are essential for enhancing the surgical skills of medical graduates.