SKILLS OF STUDENTS UNDERGOING A SHORTENED COURSE OF PALPATION OF THE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS OF COWS USING THE PER RECTAL TECHNIQUE

Abstract

In the era of the coronavirus pandemic, learning practical skills in field conditions is burdened
with a significant risk. It results from the high probability of an announcement of a lockdown.
fears of breeders and students themselves against infection, as well as the increasing costs
of logistics. As a result, it becomes necessary to create an alternative, flexible method of
training, better suited to the changed conditions, while maintaining the existing number of
hours of study, the size of student groups, and the achieved learning outcomes. In our own
research, we proposed a shortened, intensive training of students in per rectal palpation
techniques. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical skills of students after an
intensive animal training course in field conditions. The study involved 37 students of the 7th
semester of veterinary medicine. Depending on their commitment motivation and field of
interest, they were divided into three groups, according to previously established criteria. The
first group (I) comprised of highly motivated students who plan to work with farm animals in
the future, were raised on cattle farms and had some previous technical experience, and
certain skills in conducting a rectal examination of cows. The second group (II) consisted of
students who were highly motivated (willing to work in the future with farm animals), but
inexperienced in rectal examination. Before starting rectal examinations, the students from
Groups I and II practiced ovarian size assessment on ovarian rubber phantoms. During four
training sessions, they had to determine the size of 10 ovaries. The last group (III) was
composed of the least motivated students, who did not want to work with farm animals in the
future and had no experience in rectal examination. Each group made a palpation of the
reproductive organ, taking into account the cervix, the size and consistency of the uterus, the
width of its horns and the size of the ovaries. At the same time, the test time was measured.
Palpation results were verified by an experienced veterinarian. The research was carried out
every day for 5 consecutive days, each time in a different farm. Statistical analysis was
performed using the statistical tools package of STATISTICA.PL version 7.1. The distributions
of observations were compared using the Chi-square test, assuming significant differences in
the distribution at P<0.005. The obtained results indicate that during the training, the
correctness of recognizing the structures of the reproductive system was the highest in the
motivated group with basic experience in palpation of the reproductive organ and in the
group interested in working with farm animals. The skill level in the group not interested in
work with farm animals in the future was 24% and was lower than in groups I and II (P<0.05).
After the training, the students of groups II and I correctly (100%) recognized the structures
of the reproductive system. It was slightly lower in group I (92%; p > 0.05). In summary,
intensive animal science course in field conditions, ensured obtaining satisfactory skills in per
rectal palpation of the reproductive organs in cows.