Training of medical students for pelvic examination: Benefits of teaching on anatomic models

Objectives. - To evaluate the benefits of training sessions for pelvic examination using anatomic models. Material and methods. - The medical students (MS) registered in their 5th year of medical studies at Angers University Hospital had to complete two anonymous questionnaires; one at the beginning of the workshop and one at the end. Every procedure Which included pelvic exam (PE), vaginal sample (VS), smear test (ST), insertion of a speculum and insertion of intra-uterine device (IUD) was evaluated. Results. - Seventy-one MS answered both questionnaires. They were very satisfied or satisfied with the outcomes of the workshop in 91 % of the cases. At the beginning of the-workshop, 28%, 52 %, 30%, 25% and 3 % reported a low level of difficulty to carry out, respectively, a PE, VS, ST, insertion of a speculum, insertion of an IUD. At the end of the session, there were respectively 55%, 83 %, 76%, 66% and 16% of MS to report a low level of difficulty of these same procedures. For all of these procedures, there were a significant (P < 0.05) number of MS who estimated the procedure's level of difficulty as being low at the end of the session. Conclusion. - The level of technical difficulty of all procedures was significantly decreased at the end of the workshop. (C) 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.