Aisha Janjua1, P Smith2, J Chu2, N Raut3, S Malick4, I Gallos2, R Singh2, S Irani1, J K Gupta5, J Parle6, T J Clark7. 1. Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Bordesley Green, Birmingham B9 5SS, United Kingdom. 2. Birmingham Women's Hospital, Mindelsohn Way, Birmingham B15 2TG, United Kingdom. 3. University Hospitals of North Midlands, Newcastle Road, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST4 6QG, United Kingdom. 4. Corniche Hospital, Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. 5. Birmingham Women's Hospital, Mindelsohn Way, Birmingham B15 2TG, United Kingdom; University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom. 6. University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom. 7. Birmingham Women's Hospital, Mindelsohn Way, Birmingham B15 2TG, United Kingdom; University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom. Electronic address: t.j.clark@doctors.org.uk.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To assess whether teaching female pelvic examinations using gynaecological teaching associates (GTAs); women who are trained to give instruction and feedback on gynaecological examination technique, improves the competence, confidence and communication skills of medical students compared to conventional teaching. STUDY DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. SETTING:Ten University of Birmingham (UoB) affiliated teaching hospitals in the UK. POPULATION: 492 final year medical students. METHODS: GTA teaching of gynaecological examination compared with conventional pelvic manikin based teaching at the start of a five week clinical placement in obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Student's perception of their confidence was measured on a 10cm visual analogue scale (VAS). Domains of competence were measured by a senior clinical examiner using a standardised assessment tool which utilised 10cm VAS and by a GTA using a four point Likert scale. Assessors were blinded to the allocated teaching intervention. RESULTS: 407/492 (83%) students completed both the intervention and outcome assessment. Self-reported confidence was higher in students taught by GTAs compared with those taught on manikins (median score GTA 6.3; vs. conventional 5.8; p=0.03). Competence was also higher in those taught by GTAs when assessed by an examiner (median global score GTA 7.1 vs. conventional 6.0; p<0.001) and by a GTA (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: GTA teaching of female pelvic examination at the start of undergraduate medical student O&G clinical placements improves their confidence and competence compared with conventional pelvic manikin based teaching. GTAs should be introduced into undergraduate medical curricula to teach pelvic examination. Crown
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVES: To assess whether teaching female pelvic examinations using gynaecological teaching associates (GTAs); women who are trained to give instruction and feedback on gynaecological examination technique, improves the competence, confidence and communication skills of medical students compared to conventional teaching. STUDY DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Ten University of Birmingham (UoB) affiliated teaching hospitals in the UK. POPULATION: 492 final year medical students. METHODS:GTA teaching of gynaecological examination compared with conventional pelvic manikin based teaching at the start of a five week clinical placement in obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Student's perception of their confidence was measured on a 10cm visual analogue scale (VAS). Domains of competence were measured by a senior clinical examiner using a standardised assessment tool which utilised 10cm VAS and by a GTA using a four point Likert scale. Assessors were blinded to the allocated teaching intervention. RESULTS: 407/492 (83%) students completed both the intervention and outcome assessment. Self-reported confidence was higher in students taught by GTAs compared with those taught on manikins (median score GTA 6.3; vs. conventional 5.8; p=0.03). Competence was also higher in those taught by GTAs when assessed by an examiner (median global score GTA 7.1 vs. conventional 6.0; p<0.001) and by a GTA (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS:GTA teaching of female pelvic examination at the start of undergraduate medical student O&G clinical placements improves their confidence and competence compared with conventional pelvic manikin based teaching. GTAs should be introduced into undergraduate medical curricula to teach pelvic examination. Crown
Authors: Mansour A Al Asmri; James Ennis; Robert John Stone; Fernando Bello; M Sayeed Haque; Jim Parle Journal: BMJ Simul Technol Enhanc Learn Date: 2020-08-01