Asif Ali
Khyber Medical University, Pakistan
Title: Multi-resource peer assisted learning in postgraduate setting
Biography
Biography: Asif Ali
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the satisfaction of participants and the effectiveness of an enhanced and relatively formal type of peer assisted learning (PAL) in postgraduate (PG) setting.
Study Design: The following research work is an observational study.
Methodology: Participants were six medical officers and two consultants. Resources and sessions were defined and the curriculum agreed through consensus between all peers. Thirty clinically relevant topics on diseases, techniques and practical were selected for PAL sessions. A 26-item questionnaire was used to evaluate PAL on Likert-scale. It also included a free text question about one strength and one weakness of PAL. The participants consented to all aspects of multi-resource PAL and they completed a questionnaire, from which data was gathered and analysed to reveal the impact of course.
Results: As a peer group they were satisfied with the teamwork experience. Seven out of eight peers reported to have increased their motivation level. In addition, as a peer tutor all peers accepted that the course equipped them with teaching skills and that teaching skills should be learnt. Similarly, as a peer tutee, they believe that peer assistance in a multi-resource format had a positive impact on their learning and their difficult issues were unravelled. Finally, facilitated small group teaching, discussion and summing-up helped the peers to comprehend a given clinical topic.
Conclusion: A pilot multi-resource PAL was evaluated and the participants appraised the course favourably and recommended it to their colleagues. The interest and zeal shown by the participants suggests that further investigation through a larger, prospective study is warranted.