Use it or lose it: is de-skilling evidence-based?
'De-skilling' is a buzzword applied to the alleged attrition of skills through their infrequent practice. However, the belief that continuing competence in procedural medicine requires the consistent practice of a minimum number of procedures is based on anecdotal evidence. This not withstanding, accreditation or continuing practice requirements are imposed, often specifying a number of procedures that must be performed each year in order to retain the right to perform them. The following is a review of the literature into the evaluation of procedural skill competence as is related to use.
Levitt
L K
LK
New South Wales Rural Doctors Network, NSW, Australia. LEVITT_LINDA@LILLY.COM