[Self-reported level of skills in practical procedures following internship in general practice].
BACKGROUND
Previous reports have demonstrated variable and partly insufficient skills in standard practical procedures among young doctors who have served their internship. The present study examines the development of interns' self-reported level of skills in practical procedures during internship in general practice in relation to quantity and quality of supervision, gender and the size of the community they served in.


METHODS
Between 1996 and 1999, all doctors going through internships in Norway were asked to indicate their level of skills in 88 practical clinical procedures before and after internship in general practice. Of 575 interns asked, 439 replied (76 %).


RESULTS
All interns reported a significant overall improvement in self-reported practical skills during internship in general practice. Supervision and feedback was also significantly better in general practice than in internships in hospital.


CONCLUSIONS
The quality of the general practice internship in Norway is superior to the quality of hospital training. Supervision and feedback is a standard part of the education of general practitioners and represents a valuable tradition. A combination of internship in hospitals and in general practice is necessary for acquiring adequate skills in practical procedures.
D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000592:standards*; D009664:Norway; D011231:Preceptorship; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires