Evaluation of pelvic and breast examination skills of interns in obstetrics and gynecology and internal medicine.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pelvic and breast examination skills of a group of interns who were entering obstetrics and gynecology and internal medicine and to determine whether previous experience predicts performance.

STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective study that, with the use of an examination with a standardized format of 26 skills, assessed the performance of 10 interns who were entering internal medicine and 9 interns who were entering obstetrics and gynecology. chi(2) analysis and Fisher exact tests were used.

RESULTS: There was no significant difference in overall performance on the pelvic and breast examinations between the two groups. The obstetrics and gynecology interns performed significantly better (P<.05) on the three skills that assessed professional conduct. There was considerable variability within each group. There was no correlation between previous clinical experience and performance on the skills assessment, nor was there a correlation between perceived competence and actual performance.

CONCLUSIONS: Previous clinical experience does not predict performance in a standardized assessment of pelvic and breast examination skills nor does it account for the great variability in competence levels in interns who are entering obstetrics and gynecology and internal medicine.