BACKGROUND: Digital rectal examination (DRE) skills are difficult to teach and assess. This study sought to assess the construct validity of newly developed DRE simulators, which were then used to evaluate DRE palpation techniques and accuracy based on experience. METHODS: Medical students (n = 30), residents (n = 24), and experienced clinicians (n = 24) performed clinical DREs on the simulators and documented their findings. During the examinations, computer-generated quantitative performance data were collected. RESULTS: Students focused more on pronating and supinating their examining finger in the rectum. In addition, students were less accurate when assessing the prostate gland compared with experienced clinicians and residents (students = 33%, residents = 64%, and clinicians = 76%; P <.05. CONCLUSIONS: The DRE simulators were useful in defining specific differences in clinical DRE palpation techniques based on experience. We believe the observed differences are largely caused by students' misconceptions about how to perform the DRE.
BACKGROUND: Digital rectal examination (DRE) skills are difficult to teach and assess. This study sought to assess the construct validity of newly developed DRE simulators, which were then used to evaluate DRE palpation techniques and accuracy based on experience. METHODS: Medical students (n = 30), residents (n = 24), and experienced clinicians (n = 24) performed clinical DREs on the simulators and documented their findings. During the examinations, computer-generated quantitative performance data were collected. RESULTS: Students focused more on pronating and supinating their examining finger in the rectum. In addition, students were less accurate when assessing the prostate gland compared with experienced clinicians and residents (students = 33%, residents = 64%, and clinicians = 76%; P <.05. CONCLUSIONS: The DRE simulators were useful in defining specific differences in clinical DRE palpation techniques based on experience. We believe the observed differences are largely caused by students' misconceptions about how to perform the DRE.
Authors: Anne-Lise D D'Angelo; Drew N Rutherford; Rebecca D Ray; Shlomi Laufer; Calvin Kwan; Elaine R Cohen; Andrea Mason; Carla M Pugh Journal: Am J Surg Date: 2015-01-14 Impact factor: 2.565
Authors: Shlomi Laufer; Anne-Lise D D'Angelo; Calvin Kwan; Rebbeca D Ray; Rachel Yudkowsky; John R Boulet; William C McGaghie; Carla M Pugh Journal: Ann Surg Date: 2017-12 Impact factor: 12.969
Authors: Anne-Lise D Maag; Shlomi Laufer; Calvin Kwan; Elaine R Cohen; Rachel L Lenhart; Natalie C Stork; Matthew A Halanski; Carla M Pugh Journal: Stud Health Technol Inform Date: 2014
Authors: Shlomi Laufer; Kristen Rasske; Lauren Stopfer; Clair Kurzynski; Tim Abbott; Megan Platner; Joseph Towles; Carla M Pugh Journal: Stud Health Technol Inform Date: 2016