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Will Short Interval Refresher Training Improve Technical Performance and Confidence In A Trainee’s Ability to Perform Pelvic Exams?

Objective: To determine if the use of pre-performance refresher training via video will improve the examiner’s technical skill and confidence level in performing pelvic exams by medical students and non-obgyn interns.

Study Design: We performed a case-controlled prospective study comparing the use of pre-performance refresher training to non-use of pre-performance refresher training by medical students and non-obgyn interns. We used self-assessment and formal assessment of the subjects’ ability to perform pelvic exams to determine proficiency.

Results: The use of pre-performance refresher training improves the examiner’s confidence level in performing pelvic exams by medical students and non-obgyn interns in the training environment. Basic proficiency in accomplishing the gynecologic exam for the general non-obgyn physician is only minimally improved after this refresher training. This is not a statistically significant change in outcome.

Conclusions: While overall proficiency is unchanged with short interval pre-performance refresher training, the examiner’s confidence level is improved with such training. This improvement in confidence level is expected to lead to an improved comfort level when interacting with patients during women’s health encounters requiring gynecologic examinations. This is important for the non-obgyn physician and medical student in the training environment since the obgyn rotation for medical students and interns will likely be their primary and sometimes sole opportunity for developing physical exams skills for the bimanual and speculum exams.

Topics: 2013, Clerkship Director, Residency Director, Patient Care, GME, Assessment, General Ob-Gyn,