Veterinarians in large animal practice tend to become herd health managers. Successful fertility management is a key component to well dairy herd management. Educational programs have changed only marginally to match this requirement (Nydam et al. 2009). Integration of a bovine rectal palpation simulator into an undergraduate veterinary curriculum could be demonstrated (Baillie et al. 2005). Effectiveness of prevailing teaching methods is vague to first hands-on sessions in rectal palpation of genital organs in cattle.  

Aim of this study was to find out which extent integration of simulators has advantages in comparison to theoretical instructions, especially previous to first hands-on experience. Therefore students (n=73) were asked to participate in one training session either including the use of simulators (Haptic Cow® n=25, Breed’n Betsy® n=25) or a theoretical session (n=23). Furthermore, student’s self-effiacy and self-evaluation was subject of a validated questionnaire.

Results show that simulator training has positive effects on student self-efficacy. Especially perceived success during assessment is greater in groups who underwent simulator training than in the group with a theoretical training session. Simulator training results in a more realistic performance rating as well as in a more successful performance during assessment on live animals. No significant difference was found between the different simulators used.

While the focus in education should be put on animal welfare using simulators is recommended in teaching first hands-on experience in rectal palpation in cattle.

Training sessions on live animals are more efficient when students were able to practise on simulators first. Simulator trained students are also less prone to overestimating their performance.