Are medical students comfortable with practicing physical examinations on each other?

To assess medical student attitudes toward, and comfort with, taking turns practicing peer physical examinations (PPEs) on fellow classmates.

A questionnaire with 25 Likert-scaled questions was administered to 164 end-first-year medical students at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Topics assessed included: (1) comfort with various aspects of PPEs; (2) attitudes regarding the professionalism, appropriateness, and perceived value of PPEs; (3) attitudes toward peer breast, genital, and rectal exams; and (4) the effects of age and gender on response.

Of the 164 students surveyed, 124 (76%) responded. Almost all (98%) agreed that PPEs are appropriate, valuable, and a comfortable experience. Fewer students were comfortable with performing inguinal examinations and conducting PPEs with students of the opposite gender. Twelve percent of the students expressed difficulty in setting limits with peers, and 48% felt exposed when undressed as an examination model in front of a group of peers. The majority of students were opposed to peer breast, genital, and rectal examinations. Some statistically significant gender differences and age/gender interactions were observed.

Results suggest that this sample of medical students was very comfortable with PPEs and willing to participate in PPEs, although a few students were uncomfortable with these examinations. No extensive curricular change appears warranted, though steps can be taken to maximize overall student comfort and to accommodate the few students who do not favor PPEs.