Clinical skills of general practitioners in Switzerland: a Delphi study

This study was designed to develop a practical and clearly defined list of procedural skills relevant to office-based family medicine. Despite the importance of procedural skills in primary care practice, little guidance exists regarding which procedures should be included in family medicine training. By addressing this gap, the present study aims to support curriculum development and better prepare future family physicians. The study was conducted in a two-round Delphi protocol. A list of 56 technical procedures identified from the literature was submitted to 41 Swiss family physicians. A total of 19 practical skills across the cardiopulmonary, ophthalmology, otorhinolaryngology, dermatology, musculoskeletal, and urogenital domains were identified as particularly relevant. Experts also expressed their preferences regarding the timing of acquisition (pregraduate vs. postgraduate training) and the most appropriate setting for acquiring these skills (hospital, policlinic, rural, or urban practice).