Helping someone with a skill sharpens it in your own mind”: A mixed method study exploring health professions students experiences of Peer Assisted Learning (PAL)

C Sandra; G Brand; Ruth Wei; H Wright; P Nicol; H Metcalfe; J Saunders; J Payne; L Seubert; L Foley

doi:10.1186/s12909-016-0566-8

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Helping someone with a skill sharpens it in your own mind”: A mixed method study exploring health professions students experiences of Peer Assisted Learning (PAL)

Journal article

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Helping someone with a skill sharpens it in your own mind”: A mixed method study exploring health professions students experiences of Peer Assisted Learning (PAL)

C Sandra, G Brand, Ruth Wei, H Wright, P Nicol, H Metcalfe, J Saunders, J Payne, L Seubert and L Foley

BMC medical education, Vol.16, Art. 48

2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-016-0566-8

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Abstract

Medicine, nursing and health curriculum and pedagogy

Background Peer assisted learning (PAL) has been described as “the development of knowledge and skill through active help and support among status equals or matched companions”. To enhance the learning experience of health professions students and improve collaborative and collegial learning, six pilot Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) projects were conducted across a health science faculty. Methods A responsive mixed method evaluation design was applied to explore the adequacy of the preparation for PAL, the impact PAL had on student attainment of examination, consultation, communication and feedback skills and to explore students’ learning experiences through PAL. Results The 149 participants agreed the training programme was well organised, offered a safe learning environment and prepared the participant for the PAL activity. The impact of PAL included improvements in students’ confidence and ability to give feedback and developed students’ teaching, clinical and communication skills. Qualitative analysis revealed participants experienced deeper learning through teaching and learning from their peers, became more open to giving and receiving feedback and valued the comfortable/safe learning environment offered through PAL. Conclusion Providing appropriate training in peer teaching and feedback and the schools engagement and openness to peer learning in the classroom and clinical setting enhances students’ peer assisted learning experience.

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Title: Helping someone with a skill sharpens it in your own mind”: A mixed method study exploring health professions students experiences of Peer Assisted Learning (PAL)
Authors/Creators: C Sandra - The University of Western Australia
G Brand - The University of Western Australia
Ruth Wei - Murdoch University, School of Nursing and Midwifery
H Wright - The University of Western Australia
P Nicol - The University of Western Australia
H Metcalfe - The University of Western Australia
J Saunders - The University of Western Australia
J Payne - The University of Western Australia
L Seubert - The University of Western Australia
L Foley - The University of Western Australia
Publication Details: BMC medical education, Vol.16, Art. 48
Publisher: BioMed Central Ltd as Part of Springer Nature.
Identifiers: 991005570568407891
Copyright: © 2016 Carr et al.
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Citation topics: 1 Clinical & Life Sciences; 1.14 Nursing; 1.14.363 Medical Training
Web Of Science research areas: Education & Educational Research; Education, Scientific Disciplines
ESI research areas: Social Sciences, general