One of the benefits of IGMA membership is to be kept up to date on the latest research in the field. A quantitative study conducted in Sweden by esteemed researchers Karin Siwe, MD and Jenny Gleisnera, MD regarding the differences in the way the male and female invasive exam procedures are taught. Thanks to Jaideep S. Talwalkar, MD, Associate Professor, Internal Medicine & Pediatrics and Director of Clinical Skills at Yale School of Medicine for forwarding the information regarding the article.

In the article, Gleisnera and Siwe study how the digital rectal examination and the pelvic examination are taught. They find a marked dichotomy in the instruction. Professional patients, as GTAs are sometimes called, are utilized in the pelvic examination instruction and the exam is taught with care affording considerations to the sensitive nature of the exam and possible previous traumatic experience. However, researchers found that while the digital rectal examination is taught with care, “…it is taught with less sensitivity. The patients’ possible previous negative experiences are not discussed and are thus made invisible.”

Here is the link to this exceptional study.

Consider joining IGMA as a founding member to ensure continued scholarly research in the field of GTA/MUTA. The work we do ensures a kinder, gentler patient approach by offering an anxiety free learning environment where learners experience a patient empowerment model, both female and male examination models, focused on patient centered care. Students learn how to interact respectfully with patients in addition to practicing the exam techniques on an instructor who is also their patient and who can provide step by step instruction and gentle, positive feedback. Join IGMA and continue making a difference in the field of medicine. www.gtamuta.org

the International GTA MUTA Association: It is finally here! Years in the making, but the International GTA MUTA Association is open and ready for membership. IGMA is the official association for professionals working in the field of GTA MUTA programming. Akin to sister simulation organizations such as SSIH, AMEE and ASPE, IGMA will provide those working in the field of GTA/MUTA methodology a way to connect with one another offering support and networking opportunities. As part of IGMA’s mission, IGMA will provide a platform for creation of Standards of Best Practices for the field of GTA MUTA by those professionals specifically working in the field.

Because the organization is so brand new, startup is small. However, eventually IGMA will have a bibliography page on the website in order to track research being done in the field. We hope to eventually provide funds for research opportunities and to be able to act as a certifying body for those GTA and/or MUTA programs that meet Standards of Best Practices. As the official organization, we will have annual meetings and host annual conferences where we will be able to learn from each other and hear about innovative techniques and new trends in the field. Task forces in areas of special interest will be an integral part of the composition of this organization and acting to support this methodology world wide as the superior method of urogenital examination technique training is the vision of this new organization.

If you are working in the field of GTA/MUTA, we hope you will join IGMA as a founding member. This first year, founding membership in IGMA is only $100 to join. The organization needs members who are interested in heading committees and task forces. We are looking to fill positions on the Board of Directors and following committees:

• Standards of Best Practices
• Membership
• International
• Social Media and Outreach
• Conference
• Forensic GTA MUTA

If you would like to make an impact on the ground floor of this organization, please join us as a founding member please visit our website membership page to let us know what committee you would be interested in serving on.

Here’s to working together to promote patient centered methodologies that is the foundation of GTA MUTA programming. 

IGMA, the International GTA MUTA Association is a new organization in the field of simulation. The Association of Standardized Patient Educators, ASPE, is the organization for live patient simulation. The Society of Simulation in Healthcare, SSH, is the organization that supports the advancement of simulation in health care with a focus on the technology side of simulation. AMEE, the Association for Medical Education in Europe is an international organization of which simulation is a part of the focus to promote excellence in education internationally. What is missing from this legion of simulation organizations is an association designed specifically to address GTA MUTA methodology.

Why is it that professionals in the field of GTA MUTA programming need their own organization? To answer that we need to look at what GTAs and MUTAs are not. GTAs and MUTAs are not machines, they are living, breathing educators, so while they engage in simulation, they are not quite within the scope and practice of SSH. GTAs and MUTAs are not ONLY standardized patients. In fact, they are only standardized patients in that they present a standardized curriculum to learners and, in some circumstances, such as participation in breast and pelvic stations at OSCEs, can act exclusively in the role of Standardized Patient (SP) when interacting with learners.

However, GTAs and MUTAs are much more than Standardized Patients, they are live patient educators. They are teaching associates. They TEACH invasive exam clinical skills techniques to learners using their bodies as primary teaching tools in the instruction of urogenital examination skills. A primary focus is to reduce learner anxiety so that learners can effectively learn in an otherwise anxiety provoking situation. GTAs and MUTAs work exclusively in patient empowerment models promoting patient centered care. The level of training and skill required to be a GTA or MUTA is extensive, ensuring they are comfortable with and know their bodies extremely well, know and what has to be taught to the learners and know what they must teach their learners to teach future patients, fully immersed in a three-tiered learning method that goes far beyond the scope of a standardized patient.

For the past decade, ASPE has provided a home for professionals in the field of GTA MUTA programing to network in the form of the GTA MUTA Special Interest Group. While the GTA MUTA SIG was a great start and has kept communication going between GTA MUTA professionals all these years, (and IGMA encourages participation in the GTA MUTA SIG via ASPE membership) it cannot progress to include Standards of Best Practices in the field or Accreditation/Certification opportunities for institutions with active GTA MUTA programs at their sites. These are things that IGMA hopes to provide to membership one day in the near future. It is imperative that professionals in the field have a simulation organization exclusive to this particular method of live patient simulation and that time is now.

If you would like to be a member of IGMA, founding membership in the organization is available. We hope you will join us as a founding member of IGMA ensuring that this excellent method of education is promoted internationally.