Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026
Povidone Iodine Rectal Preparation at Time of Prostate Needle Biopsy is a Simple and Reproducible Means to Reduce Risk of Procedural Infection
Published on: September 21, 2015
Digital rectal examination: national survey of undergraduate medical training in Ireland
Deirdre Fitzgerald1, Stephen S Connolly, Michael J Kerin
1Department of Surgery, University College Hospital Galway, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
Objective:
To assess the experience gained in digital rectal examination (DRE) by medical students in the Republic of Ireland by the completion of undergraduate training.
Methods:
A national survey was conducted targeting all 582 final year students from the five medical schools completing their undergraduate studies in the summer of 2005. Format was anonymous questionnaire. Experience of DRE was defined as the student having performed at least one examination on either patient or teaching mannequin.
Results:
In total, 396 (68%) of 582 students responded. No experience of DRE was reported in 97 (24%), with mannequin-only experience in a further 78 (20%). Of the remaining 221 (56%) who performed DRE on at least one patient, one third (74) reported no confidence in their ability to interpret their findings properly.
Conclusion:
Undergraduate training in DRE is limited. Training in DRE can no longer be reasonably considered part of the core curriculum taught in Irish medical schools.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Assessment of the Rectum and Anus
Rectal Inspection
Begin by inspecting the perianal and anal areas for color, texture, rashes,...
01:27Assessing Body Temperature - Rectal
Follow these steps for rectal temperature assessment:
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene and don clean gloves to prevent cross-infection.
Step 2: Position the patient in a side-lying position to better visualize the rectal...
01:28Urologic Endoscopic Procedure: Cystoscopic Examination
01:25Assessment of the Abdomen I: Inspection and Auscultation
The abdominal examination is a cornerstone of clinical medicine, serving as a critical tool in diagnosing various gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. It involves a systematic approach that includes inspection and auscultation, each with distinct yet complementary roles in assessing the abdomen. This article will delve into these two primary methods healthcare professionals use to examine the abdomen.
Inspection of the Abdomen
The first step in any abdominal examination is inspection.
01:26Imaging Studies III: Gastrointestinal Motility Studies and Virtual Colonoscopy
Radionuclide Testing
Radionuclide testing is a sophisticated medical technique for assessing gastrointestinal motility. It focuses on gastric emptying and colonic transit time. Radioactive markers track the movement of food through the digestive system, providing insights into gastrointestinal disorders.
In gastric emptying studies, a meal's liquid and solid...
01:29Endoscopic Procedures I: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
During an EGD, the endoscope can be used to: