Teaching medical students digital rectal examination: a randomized study of simulated model vs rectal examination...

To determine if using a digital rectal examination (DRE) human volunteer improves medical students' confidence in performing DRE in comparison to using a simulated model alone.

Medical students underwent randomization into one of two groups: a control group who underwent standard teaching and an intervention group who underwent standard teaching plus further tuition involving a DRE volunteer. Standard teaching involved a 30-min lecture and a practice DRE on a simulation model. The intervention group additionally observed a tutor demonstrating DRE on a volunteer, then conducted a DRE themselves under supervision. Before and after teaching, both groups completed a survey comprised of three questions. The primary endpoint was confidence in performing a DRE, which was assessed according to the sum of the scores from the three questions.

In total, 48 students were randomized, 22 to the control group and 26 to the intervention group. The groups were well matched prior to teaching DRE (P = 0.76) After the DRE tutorial, students in the intervention group were more confident in knowing the indications for DRE (P = 0.001), more confident in their technique for performing DRE (P < 0.001) and more confident in their ability to assess findings accurately at DRE (P < 0.001). The primary outcome measure, overall confidence (sum of the scores from all three questions) in performing DRE, was significantly better in the intervention group (score 10/15 vs 14/15; P < 0.001).

This study showed that teaching DRE with the assistance of volunteer patients improves inexperienced students' confidence in performing DRE, and the incorporation of such training should be considered in the DRE education programme.