Students’ views on the impact of two pedagogical tools for the teaching of breast and pelvic examination techniques (video-clip and training model): a comparative study

ObjectiveTo investigate and compare the views and experience of undergraduate medical students concerning two methods used in the teaching of pelvic and breast examinations: a video clip and a training model.Study designFollowing the teaching sessions, the students (n = 79; female 67%; median age 20; students’ grade level: 2nd study year (87%) and 3rd study year (13%)) completed a satisfaction questionnaire, which included items related to the pedagogical value of these two different types of tool.ResultsMost of the students ranked their own satisfaction in each teaching session as either very satisfied or satisfied: the median rating was 3 or 4 for each item. For their satisfaction with the pedagogical tools, in terms of the degree to which they contributed toward practical knowledge of the examination procedures, the students rated the video clip with a higher degree of satisfaction than the training model, for both breast (very satisfied 73% vs. 40%, satisfied 27% vs. 43%, unsatisfied 0% vs. 7% (P < 0.001)) and pelvic examinations (very satisfied 57% vs. 33%, satisfied 39% vs. 66%, unsatisfied 4% vs. 1% (P < 0.004), respectively.ConclusionTeaching sessions for pelvic and breast examination, which make combined use of videos and training models, are associated with a high degree of satisfaction from students in their 2nd or 3rd student's year.