Quality of minor surgery by general practitioners in 1990 and 1991.
BACKGROUND
The 1990 contract for general practitioners encouraged them to undertake minor surgical procedures in their practices.


OBJECTIVE
A study was undertaken to determine whether the subsequent expansion of general practitioner minor surgery activity was accompanied by changes in quality of care.


METHODS
Data were analysed relating to minor operations conducted in 22 practices during April-June 1990 and April-June 1991.


RESULTS
The volume of general practitioner minor surgery increased by 41% between the two study periods. Waiting time, accuracy of diagnosis, use of histology, adequacy of excision, complications and the need for corrective treatment in hospital did not change significantly between the two periods.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings do not support suggestions that the expansion of general practitioner minor surgery activity following the 1990 contract has been associated with an erosion of quality of care.
Lowy
A
A
Department of Public Health Medicine, University of Sheffield.
Brazier
J
J
Fall
M
M
Thomas
K
K
Jones
N
N
Williams
B T
BT
D002983:Clinical Competence; D004739:England; D005194:Family Practice / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D013511:Minor Surgical Procedures / Q000592:standards*; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D014850:Waiting Lists