Abstract

Objectives

The technical skills required for procedural competencies are acquired through skills training. The inclusion of procedural competencies in the core curriculum is relatively new in Türkiye, and there is a need to evaluate the skills training provided during residency.

Methods

A 38-item cross-sectional electronic survey designed to assess the training environment and training level for 19 scalpel- and suture-based procedures; self-perceived competence and professional attitudes regarding dermatologic surgery, was distributed to 2000 registered members through the Turkish Society of Dermatology (TDD). Two hundred members responded to the survey, and the response rate was 10%.

Results

Forty percent of participants reported that dermatologic surgery was not routinely performed at the institution where they received training. Regarding the 19 scalpel- and suture-based procedures, the rate of routine institutional practice and independent performance exceeded 75% only for punch biopsy, local anesthesia, and electrocauterization, while both rates were below 25% for local flaps and grafts, Mohs surgery, tumescent and nerve block anesthesia, sclerotherapy, and hair transplantation. 30.5% of participants considered themselves competent in dermatologic surgery, 95.5% expressed a desire to achieve competency, and 89% intended to incorporate dermatologic surgery into clinical practice. Trainers were found to feel similarly incompetent but were significantly more motivated to achieve competency (p = 0.045). Multivariate analysis revealed that routine institutional practice was independently associated with self-perceived competence (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

The study demonstrates that the scalpel- and suture-based procedures formally incorporated into the curriculum have not yet been adequately reflected in everyday residency training practice. The finding that trainers, despite feeling similarly incompetent, were significantly more motivated to achieve competency suggests that the first step could be taken through "training the trainers".