Educational implications of changing the guidelines for the digital rectal examination

摘要

The physical examination is a dying art. One of the most intimate physical examination maneuvers is the digital rectal examination (DRE). Most commonly, the DRE is used in the urologic setting to optimally access the prostate by palpation through the rectum. However, there are other indications for the DRE, including examination of gastrointestinal masses or bleeding, and even for reverting a patient out of an unstable atrial fibrillation. Medical students are taught in their preclerkship curriculum how to perform a successful rectal examination on both standardized patients and models. Once in family medicine residency, there is limited additional educational exposure.