Progress in acquiring skills in cattle rectal examination by veterinary students consulting their acquired experience and professional motivation

Abstract

Transrectal examination of the female reproductive organ is one of the essential skills that every veterinarian should possess. Rectal palpation is currently the fastest, cheapest and easiest technique to accurately assess the condition of the uterus and ovaries. However, it is hard to evaluate the actual level of rectal examination skills among veterinary medicine students. The purpose of the research was to measure students’ skills in rectal examination consulting their acquired experience and professional motivation. Twenty-one students of veterinary medicine were divided into three groups according to their experience and motivation. The time and correctness of palpation were noted in every training and testing session. The most motivated and experienced students showed the best cattle palpation skills. Although an increase in the accuracy of the results of transrectal examination was noted in every student group, an increase in the accuracy of right ovary size rating was observed only in the group of the least motivated students.