Medical students' willingness and reactions to learning basic skills through examining fellow students

We have investigated the attitudes of students to learning basic clinical skills through examining fellow students. The result of a general survey of all students demonstrated that a small minority were unwilling to learn in this way, chiefly for religious reasons. The questionnaire also revealed some unwillingness to take responsibility for learning, doubt about the educational value of examining 'the normal', and sexual insecurity. We then investigated in detail the reactions of cohort of 96 students who were just starting to learn clinical skills. Fifty-six (58%) students attended workshops (median 3) to learn a variety of clinical skills through peer examination. Evaluation questionnaires were completed by 78 (81%) students prior to, and 84 (88%) after the workshops had been completed. The most common reason for not participating was 'full sessions' (56%). Sixty-two (73%) students thought that we should run the workshops again. Comparing attitudes before and after the workshops, there was an increase in the number of students unwilling to examine male genitalia (p = 0.02), or to have the inguinal region examined (p = 0.003). Breast examination remained unacceptable. In conclusion, apart from certain body regions, students valued the opportunity to acquire basic skills through examining each other. However, peer physical examination would be inequitable within a multicultural cohort if all students were compelled to participate.