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Teaching pelvic examination technique using professional patients: a controlled study evaluating students' skills.
Kjell Wånggren1, Aino Fianu Jonassen, Sonja Andersson
1Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Akademiska Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. kjell.wanggren@kbh.uu.se
Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica
|September 18, 2010
Summary
Medical students trained with professional patients demonstrated superior pelvic examination skills compared to those trained with clinical patients. This suggests professional patient training is more effective for teaching this essential gynecological examination technique.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Gynecology
- Clinical Skills Training
Background:
- Pelvic examination is a fundamental skill for obstetric and gynecologic training.
- Traditional training methods using clinical patients have limitations in providing consistent learning experiences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of training with professional patients versus clinical patients for developing pelvic examination skills in medical students.
Main Methods:
- A prospective controlled study was conducted at a university hospital.
- Medical students were divided into two groups: one trained with professional patients (n=53) and a control group trained with clinical patients (n=34).
- Skills were assessed through practical tests by teachers and self/patient evaluations.
Main Results:
- Students trained with professional patients exhibited significantly higher proficiency in pelvic examination techniques.
- These students reported better preparedness for examining real patients compared to the control group.
Conclusions:
- Training medical students using professional patients is a more effective pedagogical approach for mastering pelvic examination skills.
- The integration of professional patients into medical curricula is recommended to enhance gynecological examination training.
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