Laparoscopic-guided compared to skilled instructor support for student rectal examination training using live horses in the veterinary curriculum.

Objectives: To evaluate the veterinary student learning outcome of 2 methods of equine rectal examination training.

Study Design: Randomized prospective study.

Sample Population: Veterinary students (3rd and 4th year; n = 40) and practicing equine veterinarians (n = 10).

Methods: Year 1: Group 1 (n = 11) and Group 2 students (n = 10) received skilled instructor (SI) and laparoscopic-guidance (LG), respectively, during rectal exam instruction. All students were tested on rectal identification of 4 abdominal organs. Year 2: One group of students (n = 19) was trained and subsequently tested using each technique, first SI, followed by LG. Subjective evaluation of laparoscopy as a teaching tool was achieved with veterinary students and equine practitioners.

Results: A significantly greater percentage of students having LG compared to SI were able to correctly identify the left kidney (Year 1) and the spleen, cecum, and right ovary (Year 2). A significantly greater proportion of LG trained students in years 1 and 2 (100% and 95%, respectively) were also able to identify 75% of organs compared with SI (27% and 21%, respectively). Both students and veterinarians uniformly provided favorable feedback for LG in teaching rectal palpation skills.

Conclusion: The LG method of equine rectal examination instruction resulted in improved learning for identification of several key abdominal organs compared with SI.