Are medical students comfortable with practicing physical examinations on each other?

PURPOSE: To assess medical student attitudes toward, and comfort with, taking turns practicing peer physical examinations (PPEs) on fellow classmates. METHOD: A questionnaire with 25 Likert-scaled questions was administered to 164 end-first-year medical students at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Topics assessed included: (1) comfort with various aspects of PPEs; (2) attitudes regarding the professionalism, appropriateness, and perceived value of PPEs; (3) attitudes toward peer breast, genital, and rectal exams; and (4) the effects of age and gender on response. RESULTS: Of the 164 students surveyed, 124 (76%) responded. Almost all (98%) agreed that PPEs are appropriate, valuable, and a comfortable experience. Fewer students were comfortable with performing inguinal examinations and conducting PPEs with students of the opposite gender. Twelve percent of the students expressed difficulty in setting limits with peers, and 48% felt exposed when undressed as an examination model in front of a group of peers. The majority of students were opposed to peer breast, genital, and rectal examinations. Some statistically significant gender differences and age/gender interactions were observed. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that this sample of medical students was very comfortable with PPEs and willing to participate in PPEs, although a few students were uncomfortable with these examinations. No extensive curricular change appears warranted, though steps can be taken to maximize overall student comfort and to accommodate the few students who do not favor PPEs.

Sudanese refugees in a Minnesota family practice clinic.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: During the 1990s, African refugees from the southern Sudan were resettled in Minnesota. This research characterizes the health care utilization of a small sample of these recently arrived refugees and describes their health histories. METHODS: Data were abstracted from the medical charts of all identified Sudanese patients in an urban, Midwestern family practice residency unit. RESULTS: A small sample of Sudanese refugees were found to have high rates of prior infectious illness and experienced communication difficulties in accessing health care. CONCLUSIONS: Information about this sample's demographic variables, health behavior, health histories, and communication difficulties are documented. Some descriptors of the Nuer ethnic group are provided, and issues are raised that may help health care workers provide more culturally competent care to this Sudanese refugee population.