title: The effectiveness of gynaecology teaching associates in teaching pelvic examination to medical students: a randomised controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomised controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten University of Birmingham (UoB) affiliated teaching hospitals in the UK.
  
  
  METHODS
  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).
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Bordesley Green, Birmingham B9 5SS, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Aisha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Janjua
authors.affiliation: Birmingham Women's Hospital, Mindelsohn Way, Birmingham B15 2TG, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Birmingham Women's Hospital, Mindelsohn Way, Birmingham B15 2TG, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.affiliation: University Hospitals of North Midlands, Newcastle Road, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST4 6QG, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Raut
authors.affiliation: Corniche Hospital, Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Malick
authors.affiliation: Birmingham Women's Hospital, Mindelsohn Way, Birmingham B15 2TG, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gallos
authors.affiliation: Birmingham Women's Hospital, Mindelsohn Way, Birmingham B15 2TG, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Bordesley Green, Birmingham B9 5SS, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Irani
authors.affiliation: Birmingham Women's Hospital, Mindelsohn Way, Birmingham B15 2TG, United Kingdom; University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Parle
authors.affiliation: 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.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D058869:Gynecological Examination; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016544:Patient Simulation; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Expert patient; Female pelvic examination; Gynaecology Teaching Associates; Medical student; Randomised controlled trial; Undergraduate medical education