Description

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Pap smear serves as a major screening test for cervical cancer. It is one of the competencies addressed by the MCI for the Graduate Medical Education. Studies show that newly qualified doctors are unable to perform procedural skills mostly because of lack of training [1]. Aims and Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of conventional method of lecture demonstration over hands on training and to know the students’ perspective towards the teaching methodology. Methods: This was a quasi experimental study comparing 2 groups of students with one group given lecture demonstration and second group hands on training in obtaining a Pap smear. After the intervention period, both groups were assessed independently by another faculty by DOPS (direct observation of procedural skills) and the results were compared. Observation and Results: Data obtained after DOPS was classified in to 2 categories 1. Unable to perform or Able to perform only with repeated assistance 2. Able to perform with limited assistance or Competent in the procedure. DOPS assessment revealed that there was improved performance in the students trained by the hands on technique than conventional lecture demonstration. 86.7% of the students trained by hands on technique were able to do the procedure with limited assistance. While only 40% of the lecture demonstration could do the procedure by limited assistance. Data was analysed by 2×2 contingency table by FISHER’s exact test, which gave the two–tailed p-value as 0.0209 which meant the association was statistically significant.

 Keywords: Pap smear, Hands on training, DOPS, Lecture demonstration