Teaching methods for learning the DRE, in order from least to most engaging
METHOD | DESCRIPTION |
---|---|
Didactic lectures | Learners are taught in a lecture setting step by step how to perform the procedure |
Low-fidelity models | Low-fidelity models, like mannequins, can mitigate trainee self-inhibition and improve skill acquisition |
High-fidelity models | High-fidelity models, such as standardized patients, can verbally guide trainees to finding anatomic and pathologic structures |
Guided clinical exposure | Embedded clinical exposure in a patient population that has a high prevalence of relevant disease. As a resident, learning the DRE can be incorporated into relevant clinical care. Patients might be more comfortable giving consent to a trainee to practise the procedure given their disease or health status. Trainees can compare findings with expert staff preceptors to ensure they are assessing the anatomy and potential underlying disease correctly. One setting for high-volume clinical exposure to the DRE for family medicine residents could be a urology rotation |
DRE—digital rectal examination.