Digital Rectal Examination for Medical Professionals

Medical Professional - Clinical

A medical examination in which the lower rectum, pelvis, and lower abdomen are examined, to detect cancer or other serious health issues.

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The digital rectal examination is a medical examination in which the lower rectum, pelvis, and lower abdomen are examined, to detect cancer or other serious health issues. This module teaches you how to prepare for and assist with a digital rectal examination. Including both Learn and Test modes, the online simulator offers a clinical scenario that tests your ability to perform this type of routine examination. Practice the steps of the procedures online as often as you want, until you feel confident.

You’ll learn

to visualize the anatomy of the anal and perianal region, with our anatomical illustrations and 3D model
how to palpate the prostate in men and how to palpate the rectovaginal septum in women
to practice and perfect your skills in how to prepare for and assist with a digital rectal examination
much more (see Content Details for more specific information)

Step 1 - Preparation

Step 1.1 - Set-up

Step 1.2 - Patient preparation

Step 1.3 - Operator preparation

Step 2 - Inspect the anal and perianal region

Step 3 - Perform the digital rectal examination

Step 4 - Palpate the prostate in men, or perform a rectovaginal exam in women

Step 5 - Assess the anal tone

Step 6 - Assess the fecal material

Step 7 - Additional steps

Step 8 - Make the patient comfortable

Describe and demonstrate the preparation for a digital rectal examination.
Describe pre-procedural considerations for a digital rectal examination.
Identify and demonstrate the proper positioning and technique for a digital rectal examination.
Identify the pathology observed and understand the importance of assessing the anal and perianal region.
Describe and demonstrate an examination of the rectal and anal mucosa.
Describe and demonstrate an examination of the male prostate and the female rectovaginal septum.
Describe the assessment of the contents on the glove.
Describe and demonstrate how to prepare for and insert the examining finger.
Describe the assessment of sphincter tone.

The SIMTICS modules are all easy to use and web-based. This means they are available at any time as long as the learner has an internet connection. No special hardware or other equipment is required, other than a computer mouse for use in the simulations. Each of the SIMTICS modules covers one specific procedure or topic in detail. Each module contains:

an online simulation (available in Learn and Test modes)
descriptive text, which explains exactly how to perform that particular procedure including key terms and hyperlinks to references
2D images and a 3D model of applied anatomy for that particular topic
a step by step video demonstration by an expert
a quiz
a personal logbook that keeps track of all the modules the learner has studied and how long