An educational interventional study to compare conventional versus peyton’s method in training medical students on antenatal examination skills

Background: Introduction of competency based medical education in India has made it imperative to teach and assess clinical skills in a uniform manner. Antenatal Examination is one of the core competency under Obstetrics and Gynaecology. We need to use effective instructional methods to teach skills. In this study, we have compared Peyton’s ‘four step approach’ with the conventional ‘see one, do one’ approach.Methods: A quasi- randomized crossover study with educational intervention was done among 49 medical students. They were divided into two groups (A and B). Students of group A were first trained on Antenatal examination using Conventional method and evaluated. With a gap of one week, they were re-trained on the same skill using Peyton’s method and re-evaluated again; the vice versa was for done in group B. Mann Whitney test was used to compare the difference in score between the two groups of students (A and B) and Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test was used to compare the student’s perception of both teaching methods.Results: The mean score obtained by students after the first training by Peyton’s (24.08±2.31) was greater than Conventional method (20.32±3.59) which was found to be statistically significant (Z=-3.54, p<0.5). Following the second training i.e crossover of the training technique, the marks obtained by both group of students were almost the same. Students perceived Peyton’s methods to be more interesting, interactive, better understanding and recall over conventional.Conclusions: Peyton’s method was found to be superior over conventional method of training medical students in Antenatal examination

Knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer, its prevention and attitude towards human papillomavirus vaccine among medical students

Background: Cervical cancer is still one of the most common cancers affecting females in India, leading to a lot of mortality and morbidity. The objective of this study was to assess the awareness of the human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and vaccination among the medical students of a tertiary care teaching hospital.Methods: A total 300 final year I and II medical students were requested to complete a questionnaire regarding cervical cancer, primary and secondary preventive measures and attitude of students towards HPV vaccination and the answers were then analysed.Results: Among 300 medical students, 46.6% were males and 53.4% were females. Most of them were aware of the common risk factors like early marriage (92.7%), multiple partners (99%), multiparity (83.3%) and HPV exposure (85.7%). Most were aware of the cervical cancer symptoms like offensive vaginal discharge (70%), irregular vaginal bleeding (92.7%) and postcoital bleeding (80.3%). 90% were aware that cervical cancer is preventable and 74% were aware that vaccine is available in India. 70% were aware about the best age to vaccinate is 9-13 years. About 10% were already vaccinated and all were females. Out of 270 students who have not administered HPV vaccine, 53.4% didn’t take the vaccine because of lack of awareness. High cost (18.8%), fear of side effects (13.8%) and doubt on efficacy (14%) were the other reasons reported for non-administration of vaccines.Conclusions: The study showed that there were gaps in knowledge regarding HPV infection and vaccination existed amongst the medical students. So, awareness among the students should be created and a more integrated teaching regarding various aspects of HPV infection, cervical cancers and its prevention needs to be introduced in the medical education system