Investigating new approaches to facilitating the learning of female pelvic examination for health care professionals

This paper will focus on a new approach within the UK to teach female pelvic examination to undergraduate medical students. The use of Gynaecological Training Associates (GTA) (non-medical females trained to teach pelvic examination while themselves being examined) by students is not a new concept and has been used in America and Scandinavia since the 1970’s. However, in the UK, GTA’s are rarely used. The discussion will follow how one GTA programme is being developed at Southampton General Hospital, and drawing heavily from pedagogy how the sessions are being planned.