Small things from small places.
BACKGROUND
The federal government has recently acknowledged that more highly skilled GPs would reduce the health bill by decreasing the level of specialist referral.


OBJECTIVE
Practical procedures should form part of every day practice, however, gaining skills and the practical tips that make procedures easier can be difficult. This article describes the skills required for the removal of foreign bodies from children.


CONCLUSIONS
The retrieval of foreign bodies from children requires patience, preparation and confidence. Plan your approach carefully and take your time as you may only have one chance at grasping the object before the child becomes uncooperative.
Department of Community Medicine and General Practice, Monash University, Victoria.
M
M
Burke
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004423:Ear; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009055:Mouth; D009666:Nose; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D014621:Vagina