ABSTRACT
Background: Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable of all cancers and is the second leadingcause of death from malignancy amongst female patients. Utilizing Pap test for early detection ofcarcinoma cervix by all graduating medical students would be an excellent preventive strategy. Thecurrent modes of teaching medical students (lecture-based curricula) neither encourage the right qualitiesin students nor impart a life-long respect for learning.Objective: At the end of the training, the undergraduate students would become competent in learningabout Pap smear with the help of The Pap smear teaching cum testing module (brief lectures + hands ontraining).Methods: Following approval by the Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC), the training was divided intotheory, practical and demonstration classes, lasting from October 2014 to March 2015. Subjects included50 students of 3rd MBBS. Pretest were conducted and results were evaluated and tabulated on excel sheet.The students were initiated into clinical application of Pap smear on ZOE model, through demonstrationand skill practice under the supervision of trained faculty. Students were asked for their feedback to thequestionnaire provided to them. Post-test in the form of a MCQ test, short answer-question was taken forevaluation of theoretical knowledge, scientific principles and application. Practical skills were evaluatedbased on practice session on ZOE model, assessed on adherence to DOPS checklist for Pap smear, theresults were formulated. Student paired t test was performed to compare the scores of the pretest andpost-test sessions.Results: Students showed improvement in post-test compared to the pretest. Feedbacks showed thatstudents were enthusiastic in this innovative way of teaching and expressed their satisfaction. 90%students agreed that competency-based training of Pap smear made them understand the steps and madethem confident about carrying out the procedure. Practical assessment was done on ZOE model withDOPS Checklist, 80% students’ demonstrated proficiency in practical skills by scoring 100% in checklistadherence.Conclusion: Interactive-competency-based teaching module among the small group in addition to thedidactic lectures can improve the performance of the students and make them better to understand thesubject better with lasting effect.