To create a validated tool to measure digital rectal examination proficiency and aid with teaching of the examination.
The clinical examination, a required course for second year students, concentrates on the teaching of physical examination skills in two departments (Medicine and Surgery) with no defined method of teaching/learning and assessment.
Studies of didactic processes during clerkships show that teaching of physical examination skills is often substandard [ 26, 28- 30].
The postgraduates desired a lot more focus on communication skills, counselling and medical ethics as compared to students, whose primary focus was teaching of bedside examination and management.
Consequently, we have long recognised the need for high quality and enthusiastic teaching of MSK examination skills in the undergraduate arena.
Even though part of discussions was frequently going beyond the issue of small group teaching, proper setting of examination system and distribution of marks is essential for insuring fairness in any change in the teaching system.
The Canadian National Breast Screening Study 1 was designed to evaluate the efficacy of the combination of annual mammography, physical examination and the teaching of breast self-examination in reducing the rate of death from breast cancer among women aged 40 49 years at entry.
Apart from a single structured tutorial on pelvic examination involving clinical teaching associates, participants stated that the teaching of intimate physical examination was sporadic and opportunistic.
During traditional teaching of digital rectal examination (DRE), accurate visual demonstration is not possible, because the examining finger is hidden from view.
Specialists in Rheumatology and Orthopaedics are frequently involved in undergraduate teaching of musculoskeletal (MSK) examination skills.
