Implementation of a “minor surgery program in primary care”: Impact on the reduction of the surgical waiting list in a healthcare area

Introduction

This study analyzes the implementation of a Minor Surgery programme in Primary Care within a healthcare area and its impact on hospital activity indicators.

Materials and methods

A clinical training programme was designed for Primary Care professionals. The number of minor procedures performed in Primary Care and in the General Surgery Department was assessed, along with the evolution of hospital activity indicators: average waiting time, mean accumulated delay, and the number of patients on the surgical waiting list.

Results

The number of minor procedures in Primary Care increased from 95 in 2022 to 945 in 2024, resulting in a 43.8% reduction in hospital-based minor surgery and a decrease in average waiting time, total delay, and number of patients on the surgical waiting list.

Conclusions

The implementation of minor surgery in Primary Care has improved healthcare delivery by increasing its problem-solving capacity and reducing the hospital workload.