Adolescent pelvic examination. An effective practical approach
H. C. Tolmas
Department of Pediatrics, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, La.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that pediatric health
care be extended through the adolescent years. Thus, there is a need to
refamiliarize the physician with the pelvic examination. Formerly,
workshops used simulated plastic models ("Ginny") to accomplish this goal.
Such workshops have been conducted at the annual meeting of the American
Academy of Pediatrics for several years. At the 1987 meeting in New
Orleans, La, two workshops involving live models (gynecologic teaching
assistants) were planned and implemented with great success. Following a
didactic segment, each participant was given an opportunity to perform the
pelvic examination with immediate feedback from the gynecologic teaching
assistant as to the completeness and appropriateness of the pelvic
examination. The immediate response of the attendees was overwhelmingly
positive. A questionnaire was sent to the enrollees 8 months after the
meeting to determine whether this experience had affected their attitude
toward and approach to the pelvic examination. Eighty-three percent of
questionnaires were returned with an affirmative response. This positive
response suggested that such workshops be continued in an effort to reach
as many pediatricians as possible.
