Pelvic Examination Training for Interns: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Specialized trainers can reliably evaluate and improve the pelvic examination skills of interns, and improvements are demonstrable three months after training. Further research is needed to ascertain whether training efficiency can be improved and to measure the impact of training on patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes.

Physical Examination Education in Graduate Medical Education—A Systematic Review of the Literature

“…Thirteen were performed in the United States [58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70] and one in Denmark. 71 The cardiac examination was most frequently studied, 59,62,64,67,69,71 followed by the pelvic examination 61,65,68 and the musculoskeletal examination. 58,70 Four studies include randomization of the intervention.…”

“…58,70 Four studies include randomization of the intervention. 58,61,67,71 Participants were predominantly internal medicine residents; [58][59][60][61]63,[65][66][67]69,70 other participants included family practice residents, 59,62 pediatrics residents, 64,65,68 and Danish "house officers" of unknown post graduate year. 71 The majority of studies (n=12) made assessments at KL2b (knowledge and skill).…”

“…71 The majority of studies (n=12) made assessments at KL2b (knowledge and skill). 58,59,[61][62][63][64][65][66][67][69][70][71] Two studies made assessments at KL 3 (changes in behavior). 60,65 Methodological Quality…”

“…Half of the studies (n=7) used resident interaction with a human e x a m i n e e a s t h e p r i m a r y m e a n s o f t e a c h i n g PE. 58,60,61,63,65,68,69 Four of these studies used actual patients in the clinical context: genital exams in continuity clinic, 65 bedside rounds with internal medicine inpatients, 69 breast exams in a breast care clinic, 60 and pelvic exams in a pediatric clinic. 68 Two of the studies used "teaching associates," in which the examinee is primarily responsible for teaching the learner.…”

“…59,[62][63][64]67,70 There was a wide range in the amount of time spent teaching PE. Five studies relied on a single teaching intervention 58,61,63,64,71 that ranged in length from 3 min 64 to 4 hours. 71 The remaining studies consisted of multiple sessions, 59,60,62,[65][66][67][68][69][70] ranging from ongoing teaching in an elective 68 to three 45-min sessions.…”