How to improve the post-graduate training of general practitioners in performing joint injection? Analysis of training courses and literature review

Introduction: While several studies have shown the usefulness and effectiveness of articular and abarticular corticosteroid injections performed by general practitioners, the main limitation that has been identified in expanding the use of these acts in everyday practice lies in a lack of training. Thus, this study aimed to determine the best settings for training courses concerning this subject. Methods: Our study was composed of two parts: the first one consisted in a survey concerning the improvements induced by training courses in the context of continuing medical education on the participants’ skills and degree of confidence, the second part was a review of the published literature about this topic. Results: As expected, every training program analysed through our survey generated improvements in the participants’ confidence in performing articular or abarticular injections. Furthermore, these findings are reflected in an increase in the proportion of such skills that the trainees complete by themselves. These results were reinforced by similar findings raised by the literature review. Moreover, it highlighted that hands-on training courses seemed to be the most efficient and that the use of synthetic models appeared to be a suitable alternative to human bodies or corpses, surrounded by less ethical and logistic concerns. Conclusions: This study supports the expansion of training courses for general practitioners on articular and abarticular injections. It also suggests that they should be based on a hands-on training design, possibly with the use of manikins.