Preliminary development and evaluation of a bovine rectal palpation simulator for training veterinary students

A computer based teaching tool has been developed using haptic technology to train veterinary students to examine the bovine reproductive tract, simulating rectal palpation. The teacher can visualise the student's actions on a screen and therefore give guidance. The properties of the virtual scene were assessed by veterinary surgeons. Evaluation of the teaching tool was conducted with a group of veterinary students. After being trained with the device, each student carried out rectal examinations and assessed the effect of haptic training. The evaluation results, although preliminary, support haptic training as a possible method for enhancing the teaching of bovine rectal palpation.