The Cytology Service at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Center for Health Sciences has examined about 4000 pap smears (each year) from the UCLA Student Health Service between 1973-1978. An apparently significant increase in abnormal pap smears in young college-age women is reported. (Authors/CJ)

A study at the University of Washington affirmed that medical students learn more and rate the learning experience higher when the "Gynny" anthropomorphic pelvic model is included in the instructional sequence than when it is not. (MLW)

Students were taught pelvic examination methods either by use of an inanimate model or use of the model and examination of volunteer gynecological teaching associates (GTAs). Students in the latter group were superior in communication and manual skills, and scored better on recognizing deviant pelvic anatomy. (MSE)

The use of a special cadaver is discussed that could be used during the first-year gross anatomy course to supplement the usual dissection of pelvic viscera. Pelvic anatomy is emphasized from the perineal approach as used in a typical pelvic exam. (MLW)

Discusses the basics of the preparticipation exam, focusing on aspects specific to females, such as menstrual dysfunction, disordered eating, and orthopedic problems such as scoliosis and patellofemoral pain. Health history questionnaire and other parts of the exam are included in six tables. (SM)

The American Cancer Society's guidelines, recommending that having Pap tests at three-year intervals is safe for many women, are questioned. Dangers to women with a high risk of cervical cancer, problems with faulty test results, and other gynecological problems that may be detected during pelvic examinations are discussed. (PP)

The teaching of the pelvic examination is seen as having undergone a dramatic change since the introduction of trained professional patient-instructors. The results of a study using two groups, the professional patient-instructor method in one group and a control group using gynecologists and clinic patients, is presented. (MLW)

Seminars with small groups of medical students beginning their training on an obstetrics and gynecology service attempt to help the students cope with reactions that could impair their ability to perform competent gynecological examinations. Six characteristic responses of students performing their first pelvic examination are described.…

Objective: The construct validity of checklist and global process scores for an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) in psychiatry was assessed. Multiple regression analysis was used to predict psychiatry OSCE scores from the clinical skills examination, an obstetrics/gynecology (OB/GYN) OSCE, and the National Board of Medical…

Four instructional designs to teach pelvic examinations to second-year medical students were compared: traditional sequence, and practice in premotor, postmotor, and combined premotor and postmotor skill development. Mental practice produced better performance on the abilities to list the examination sequence and record findings. (Author/MSE)

A study of the impact of two methods of pelvic examination instruction on student performance and anxiety revealed no significant difference between the group that used professional patients and the control group that used clinic patients. However, a second anxiety instrument did reveal differences, and the instructional costs for the control…

Gynecologic teaching associates taught third-year medical students to perform physical examination of the female pelvis and breasts. Evaluations by the students of this teaching method and assessment by the teaching associates of student problems were obtained from questionnaires. (Author/MLW)

The effectiveness of using gynecology teaching associates is compared with training by gynecology residents on clinic patients for teaching the gynecologic examination. Sophomore medical students at the University of Iowa participated in the instruction and an evaluation session with a simulated patient trained to rate the students' examination…

The use of trained gynecologic teaching associates (GTAs) in providing instruction on the gynecologic examination is discussed. GTAs work in pairs; while one provides instruction, the other serves as a model. A study to measure student anxiety and confidence during the examination is described. (MLW)