Comparing Task Trainers to Standardized Patients for Gynecologic Assessment Skills

A quality improvement project was undertaken to assess nurse practitioner student feedback regarding low-fidelity task trainers and standardized patients for assessment of gynecologic exams. Initial practice with low-fidelity equipment helps students become familiar with equipment and technique, whereas use of standardized patients helps students apply those techniques and adapt them to individual persons. Use of standardized patients enabled students to engage in trauma-informed care while learning sensitive and proficient gynecologic exams. Barriers such as cost, availability of live models, and continued training will need to be addressed in future projects. •Primary care nurse practitioner students compared use of low-fidelity task trainers with standardized patients for learning of gynecologic exams.•Task trainers provided initial comfort with technique and use of equipment.•Standardized patients were preferred by students for more realistic learning.