Build-A-Pelvis, a Low-Cost Modelling Activity to Improve Understanding of Female Pelvic and Perineal Anatomy 

Objective: The present study aimed to assess the improvement in residents’ understanding of female pelvic and perineal anatomy by comparing standard teaching strategies using lectures to a simulation-based anatomy workshop using a low-cost model.

Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at the department of Obstetrics and genecology, Aga Khan Hospital. A hands-on workshop was developed for the residents to improve residents’ comprehension of the anatomy of the Female pelvic and perineum. All participants attended 2 one-hour lectures: one on pelvic anatomy and the second on perineal anatomy. A pre-test was conducted before lectures and an intermediate test was taken (which acted as a post-test after the lecture series and a pre-test before the hands-on workshop). A 3-hour session was conducted to build a pelvis using simple office supplies designed to teach pelvic floor and perineal anatomy. Post-test was conducted at the end of the workshop. Test scores were compared.

Results: A total of 22 participants were enrolled in the study. A mean pre-test score of 7.14 ± 2.34 was calculated. The mean score increased to 10.68 ± 2.1 after the standard lecture while to 14.77 ± 1.88 after the hands-on workshop. These differences in the pre-, post-lecture, and post-hands-on workshop were statistically significant (p<0.0001). The mean feedback score for the overall assessment from the residents was 4.9 ± 0.32 out of a total of 5.

Conclusion: This study offers more evidence that less expensive instructional strategies can be just as effective as more costly technical ones.