I was hoping for a bit of advice. I'm a first year resident in FM, and I've become really frustrated with my inability to consistently visualize the cervix on a speculum exam.
I struggled in the first few weeks of residency, but recently was feeling a bit better as I seemed to be visualizing it more consistently. I even did a few IUD insertions with no issues. Fast forward to this week, and I've missed the cervix on 5 out of the 6 exams I've done. I've asked preceptors for advice, and I haven't gotten much more than reassurance that it'll come with experience.
I'm not sure what to do. I insert the speculum fully, and only open when i'm sure I've reached as far as the blades can go. If I don't see the cervix, I pull out a bit and look up and down and progress further in those directions. Still, nothing but vaginal wall.
I feel like I'm the only one at my level of training struggling with this issue. Should I be doing bimanuals before my exam to locate the cevix? Will that mess up the pap smear? If anyone has any advice, I'd greatly appreciate it.
I struggled in the first few weeks of residency, but recently was feeling a bit better as I seemed to be visualizing it more consistently. I even did a few IUD insertions with no issues. Fast forward to this week, and I've missed the cervix on 5 out of the 6 exams I've done. I've asked preceptors for advice, and I haven't gotten much more than reassurance that it'll come with experience.
I'm not sure what to do. I insert the speculum fully, and only open when i'm sure I've reached as far as the blades can go. If I don't see the cervix, I pull out a bit and look up and down and progress further in those directions. Still, nothing but vaginal wall.
I feel like I'm the only one at my level of training struggling with this issue. Should I be doing bimanuals before my exam to locate the cevix? Will that mess up the pap smear? If anyone has any advice, I'd greatly appreciate it.