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

The research evaluated two teaching methods for training veterinary students in equine rectal examination – skilled instructor support and laparoscopic-guidance – and found that the latter leads to better identification of key abdominal organs.

Methodology

• The study had a randomized prospective design and involved 40 veterinary students in their 3rd and 4th year and 10 practicing equine veterinarians.
• During the first year of the study, a group of students received guidance from a skilled instructor (SI) while another group was taught with the aid of laparoscopic guidance (LG).
• All students were tested on their ability to identify four abdominal organs via a rectal examination.
• In the second year, a different group of students was trained using both techniques, first with SI and then with LG, to assess the efficacy of both teaching methods.
• A subjective evaluation of laparoscopy as a teaching tool was obtained from both veterinary students and equine practitioners.

Results

• Year 1: A significantly greater number of students taught using laparoscopy could correctly identify the left kidney compared to students taught by a skilled instructor.
• Year 2: Students trained using laparoscopy were significantly better able to identify the spleen, cecum, and right ovary in the subsequent testing.
• A high proportion (100% and 95% in year 1 and 2, respectively) of LG-trained students were also able to identify 75% of organs compared to SI (27% and 21%, respectively).
• Both students and practicing veterinarians provided favorable feedback for LG as a tool for teaching rectal palpation skills.

Conclusion

• Based on the study, the laparoscopic-guidance method of teaching equine rectal examination led to improved learning outcomes for veterinary students, particularly in the identification of several key abdominal organs, compared to traditional instructor-guided teaching.