Utility of Gynecological Teaching Associates

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Gynecology
• Clinical Skills Training

Background:

• Gynecological teaching associates (GTAs) are trained professionals who use themselves as models for teaching the pelvic exam.
• It is hypothesized that GTAs enhance learners' confidence and interpersonal skills during clinical training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between the use of GTAs and increased medical student confidence in performing pelvic exams.
• To provide insights into the impact of GTA-based training on students' self-assurance during clinical rotations.

Main Methods:

• An email survey was administered to medical students from two cohorts at a USMLE-accredited medical school.
• One cohort received training using GTAs, while the other did not.
• Fisher's exact test was used to analyze the association between GTA use and pelvic exam confidence (p<0.01).

Main Results:

• Out of 85 participants, 68 rated their confidence after performing a pelvic exam.
• Students trained with GTAs showed significantly higher confidence levels (66% reporting 4 or 5 out of 5) compared to those without GTA training (50%).
• A statistically significant difference (p<0.0024) was observed in confidence levels between the two groups.

Conclusions:

• Medical students trained with GTAs report enhanced confidence in performing pelvic exams in clinical settings.
• The findings support the value of investing in GTA programs within medical school curricula.
• GTA training appears to be an effective method for improving students' practical skills and confidence in gynecological examinations.