title: Use of mannequin-based simulation to decrease student anxiety prior to interacting with male teaching associates.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous studies have compared the usefulness of teaching associates versus mannequin trainers for learning physical exam skills. Little work has been done to assess the usefulness of mannequin trainers prior to students' interaction with teaching associates.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We studied the effects of mannequin-based simulators on student comfort levels toward learning the male genitourinary examination.
  
  
  METHODS
  First-year medical students (N = 346) were surveyed before and after a mannequin-based curriculum to assess their comfort levels toward learning the male genitourinary examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mannequin-based curriculum significantly increased (p < .001) student comfort levels toward the male genitourinary exam. However, the pre-post improvements were small, and on average students only progressed from being "very uncomfortable" to "somewhat comfortable." The intimate nature of the examination was the top cause of anxiety toward learning the male genitourinary exam. Students were least comfortable with the digital rectal examination at the beginning of class.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We suggest that mannequin-based simulators be used prior to students' experience with male teaching associates when learning the male genitourinary exam.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53792, USA. pugh@surgery.wisc.edu
authors.forename: Carla M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Pugh
authors.forename: Katherine Blossfield
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Iannitelli
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rooney
authors.forename: Lawrence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Salud
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002641:Chicago; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D005260:Female; D005837:Genitalia, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008348:Manikins; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000523:psychology*; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014741:Video Recording