Data Sheet 3_Applicability of a canine prostate simulator (PROSIM-DOG) in clinical veterinary practices.pdf

Simulators help students to perform procedures as many times as needed, in a controlled and non-stressful environment. It is crucial to include transrectal digital palpation in the physical examination of dogs for effective clinical diagnosis of prostate diseases, since this is a commonly found pathology in intact males. Training in prostate palpation may be hindered if students cannot assess and compare different types of prostates, a common situation that can be solved by training devices. A low-cost canine prostate simulator (PROSIM-DOG) was developed and tested by 167 veterinary science students, in order to compare their perspective and usefulness of the simulator. Students were divided into four groups with varying levels of instructional support. Group 1 (n = 35) received a technique description, used the simulator, and completed two questionnaires (simulator and real examination). Group 2 (n = 35) received a description, visual aids, and palpated inert prostates without the simulator before the live exam. Group 3 (n = 36) received only a written description before the live exam. Group 4 (n = 61) had access to a description, inert prostates, the simulator, and completed the questionnaire to assess device applicability. Additionally, fourteen faculty members also answered a third questionnaire, in order to validate PROSIM-DOG. Students with access to images and simulator palpation (group 2) achieved higher diagnostic accuracy (66.6%), while most in the description-only group (group 3) reported uncertainty during examination (80%) and considered the teaching method insufficient (77.7%). Overall, all students positively evaluated the device and considered that it significantly improved their understanding of canine prostatic anatomy and pathology, increased confidence to perform transrectal digital palpation in dogs and that it reduced their anxiety associated with first-time clinical procedures. Enquired faculty members endorsed the simulator's educational value, emphasizing its potential to standardize practical training. Fourteen faculty members also answered a third questionnaire, endorsed the simulator's educational value, emphasizing its potential to standardize practical training. These findings support the integration of PROSIM-DOG into veterinary curricula as a valuable tool for both preclinical preparation practices and skill reinforcement in clinical rotations. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies assessing the impact of simulators on student performance and diagnostic accuracy in real clinical contexts.

模拟器可让学生在可控且无压力的环境中，按需多次重复操作相关流程。对犬只进行体格检查时纳入经直肠指诊（transrectal digital palpation），是实现前列腺疾病临床精准诊断的关键环节——因为前列腺疾病在未去势公犬中属于高发病理状况。若学生无法评估并对比不同类型的前列腺状况，则前列腺触诊培训难以推进，而训练模拟器可有效解决这一普遍难题。
本研究开发了一款低成本犬用前列腺模拟器（PROSIM-DOG），并邀请167名兽医专业学生开展测试，以调研学生对该模拟器的使用认知与应用价值评价。参与测试的学生被分为四组，各组获得的教学支持程度各不相同：
第1组（n=35）：先获取操作技术说明，使用该模拟器进行训练，随后完成两份问卷（分别针对模拟器与实际临床检查）；
第2组（n=35）：获取技术说明与可视化辅助材料，在开展实际临床检查前，先使用非活体前列腺模型开展触诊训练（未使用模拟器）；
第3组（n=36）：仅在实际临床检查前获取书面技术说明；
第4组（n=61）：可获取技术说明、非活体前列腺模型与模拟器，并完成针对该设备适用性的评估问卷。
此外，另有14名教职人员参与填写第三份问卷，以验证PROSIM-DOG的有效性。
结果显示，可获取可视化材料并使用模拟器开展触诊训练的第2组学生，诊断准确率更高（66.6%）；而仅接受书面说明的第3组中，绝大多数学生表示在检查过程中存在不确定感（80%），且认为该教学方法不够充分（77.7%）。
整体而言，所有学生均对该设备给出了积极评价，认为其显著提升了自身对犬前列腺解剖结构与病理特征的认知，增强了他们开展犬只经直肠指诊的信心，并缓解了首次接触临床操作时的焦虑情绪。
参与调研的教职人员均认可该模拟器的教学价值，并强调其具备推动实操培训标准化的潜力。前述14名教职人员亦填写了第三份问卷，再次肯定了该模拟器的教学价值，同时着重指出其在标准化实操培训方面的应用前景。
上述研究结果表明，PROSIM-DOG可作为一款兼具价值的教学工具，整合进入兽医专业课程体系，用于课前预备训练与临床轮转期间的技能强化。未来的研究可聚焦于开展纵向研究，以评估模拟器对学生在真实临床场景中的操作表现与诊断准确率的影响。