DaRE to Approach Differently: Teaching the Digital Anorectal Examination Through a Trauma-Informed Framework.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The digital anorectal examination (DRE) is a valuable clinical tool but is often underutilized due to provider discomfort, lack of confidence, and concerns about patient experience. Trauma-informed care (TIC) frameworks have improved education for other sensitive examinations, but their application to DRE instruction remains limited.

Objective

To evaluate whether a TIC-focused educational intervention improved resident physician comfort, confidence, and knowledge related to the DRE.

Methods

From October 2024 to February 2025, a prospective study was conducted among family medicine, internal medicine, and surgery residents at a large academic medical center. Residents attended a 30-minute TIC-focused DRE didactic session. Surveys were administered at baselin

SUBMITTER: Kwan K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12903381 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature