Organising near‐peer teaching programmes for clinical professionals

Developing supervisory and precepting skills through simulation: Near peer teaching in a skills laboratory

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Near-peer teaching is an innovative approach to teaching the skills of supervising and precepting while benefiting students with different levels of experience and academic training. This study describes near-peer activities in skills-based laboratory courses that provided opportunities for one-on-one teaching to benefit learners in the introductory lab courses while simultaneously training more advanced students for future supervisory and precepting roles.

EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY & SETTING

Three community pharmacy near-peer teaching simulations were designed and implemented: 1) Patient Counseling and Medication Adherence, 2) Dispensing and Patient Counseling, and 3) Drug Utilization Review and Prescriber Calls. These activities took place over two semesters of a pharmacy skills lab with all first- and third-year Doctor of Pharmacy students.

FINDINGS

In Autumn 2019, 80% (111/139) of P1s and 67% (80/119) of P3s responded to the course evaluation survey. In Spring 2020, 73% (100/137) of P1s and 68% (80/118) of P3s responded to the course evaluation survey. The P3s reported increased confidence in their ability to provide meaningful feedback, while P1s reported increased confidence in communicating with patients and healthcare providers. Performance data revealed that most P1s and P3s completed dispensing and communication activities accurately using a near-peer approach. Overall, the P1s and P3s felt the activities were valuable learning experiences.

SUMMARY

The near-peer activities described in this study fill a gap in the training of pharmacy graduates for future precepting and supervisory roles. Evaluation of these near-peer activities suggest that both junior and senior learners benefit from simulated preceptor-intern interactions, supporting this innovative approach to address supervisory and precepting responsibilities.

Perceptions of near-peer teaching in a pharmacy skills-based laboratory

OBJECTIVE

To assess the perception of students, faculty, and previous lab coaches on a near-peer teaching model integrated into a skills-based laboratory.

METHODS

As part of a longitudinal near-peer teaching experience, third professional year students are utilized as lab coaches in a skills-based laboratory course. Lab coaches deliver lectures, provide feedback, facilitate activities, and assist with class preparation spanning 2 semesters for first and second professional year students. Students enrolled in the courses received an anonymous 12-question survey to assess the comfort and helpfulness of feedback when working with a lab coach and faculty during the 2021-2022 academic year. Statistical analysis was conducted using descriptive and inferential statistics for survey questions, and thematic analysis for open-ended responses. Semi-structured interviews with previous lab coaches and faculty were conducted, and thematic analysis was utilized for the responses.

RESULTS

The student survey had an 81.4% response rate (n = 114). Students were significantly more comfortable working with and asking questions to a lab coach than a faculty instructor (mean [SD] of 4.78 [0.66] vs 4.44 [0.75]). Nine (75%) previous lab coaches and 6 (43%) faculty members were also interviewed. A total of 6 themes regarding perceptions of the lab coach position emerged: positive impact on personal and professional development; relationship building; rewarding experience recommended to others; robust teaching experience; struggles and challenges faced by both faculty and lab coaches; appreciation of the position by faculty.

CONCLUSION

Implementing near-peer teachers into a pharmacy skills-based laboratory was very well received by students, previous lab coaches, and faculty.

Anaesthetic National Teaching Programme for Students (ANTPS)

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly undermined undergraduate anaesthetic teaching in spite of the vital role of the specialty against the pandemic. Anaesthetic National Teaching Programme for Students (ANTPS) was designed to meet the evolving needs of undergraduates and tomorrow's doctor by standardising anaesthetic training, preparing for final exams and equipping competencies vital for doctors of all grades and specialties. Our Royal College of Surgeons England-accredited University-College-Hospital-affiliated programme consisted of six-biweekly sessions were delivered online by anaesthetic trainees. Prerandomised and postrandomised session-specific multiple-choice questions (MCQs) assessed students' improvement in knowledge. Anonymous feedback forms were provided to students after each session and 2 months following the programme. 3743 student feedback forms (92.2% of attendees) across 35 medical-schools were recorded. There was a mean improvement in test score (0.94±1.27, p<0.001). 313 students completed all six sessions. Based on 5-point Likert scale, students who completed the programme showed an improvement in their confidence in knowledge and skills to face common foundation challenges (1.59±1.12, p<0.001) and thus felt better prepared for life as junior doctors (1.60±1.14, p<0.001). With an increase in confidence in students to pass their MCQs, Observed Structured Clinical Examinations and case-based discussion assessments, 3525 students stated they would recommend ANTPS to other students. Unprecedented COVID-19 factors impacting training, positive student feedback and extensive recruitment, demonstrate that our programme is an indispensable learning resource which standardises anaesthetic undergraduate education nationally, prepares undergraduates for their anaesthetic and perioperative exams and lays strong foundations for implementation of clinical skills required by all doctors, to optimise training and patient care.

Impact of a near-peer teaching program within a college of pharmacy on interest in mentoring roles

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Near-peer teaching within healthcare education has numerous benefits, but there is limited literature to assess the impact that these experiences have on skill development and future teaching roles. This study describes the impact of serving as a near-peer teaching assistant on both former and current pharmacy students.

EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY AND SETTING

The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy implemented the Academic Assistant (AA) program in 2009 to provide an opportunity for students to participate as near-peer educators in a variety of courses. To determine the impact of these AA positions on current and former students, participants from five years of the program were surveyed regarding the impact of the program on skill development and current or future interest in teaching/mentoring.

FINDINGS

Current students in the AA program reported that participation increased the likelihood of pursuing a career with teaching/mentoring roles. A majority (65%) of alumni who participated in the program reported being in a current teaching/mentoring role with 42% responding that the AA program was impactful to their career choice. The qualitative analysis showed that direct impact to respondents included validating career goals and increasing interests in teaching/mentoring roles. Those who reported no direct impact on their career still gained valuable professional skills that included: public speaking, time management, broadened perspectives, and increased understanding of academia career expectations.

SUMMARY

Providing opportunities for pharmacy students to serve in near-peer teaching roles increased students' interest in pursuing teaching/mentoring roles and offered valuable professional experiences.

Near-Peer Teaching in Radiology Symposia: A Success Story in Residents as Teachers

INTRODUCTION

Peer learning and near-peer teaching have been described in many specialties, less so in Radiology. We present near-peer teaching whereby residents present a series of didactic sessions at the course outset in the form of "symposia" and perform a scholarly activity in the form of teaching. We aim to demonstrate how near-peer teaching in symposia front-loaded within an introductory radiology course can improve medical student satisfaction.

METHOD

A total of 169 students were enrolled over a period of 3 years, 55 before (2017-2018) and 114 (2018-2020) after the introduction of the symposium. Anonymous course evaluations were collected from all students. In addition, 240 fourth-year medical students who also attended symposium lectures received satisfaction surveys in 2019 and 2020.

RESULTS

All (169/169, 100%) students taking the course evaluated it. Overall evaluation scores rose from 8.3/10 to 9.0/10 post-symposia. Among student satisfaction surveys, 89/240 (37%) specifically commented on symposia; 91% (80/89) of those found symposia very or extremely informative. 29/71 (41%) of all residents were able to participate in the symposia, 20/29 in multiple years throughout residency, allowing them to fulfill the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education interpersonal and communication skills core competencies and meet scholarly activity requirements.

CONCLUSION

Near-peer teaching in the form of resident-taught interactive didactics grouped in symposia can have a positive outcome on medical student satisfaction.

Near-peer teaching for learning clinical photography skills: Perceptions of students

AIM

This paper evaluates the perceptions and experience of students, in the role of both near-peer teacher and learner who participated in the clinical dental photography course, using a mixed-method analysis with focus group interviews of student tutors and a questionnaire of learner perceptions.

METHODS

A student-led course on Digital Clinical Photography took place with BDS 5 and 6 students as near-peer teachers (NPTs) and BDS 2 and 3 students as learners. Interviews were conducted with near-peer teachers, and a questionnaire was distributed to learners to evaluate students' perceptions of this novel teaching and learning experience.

RESULTS

Near-peer teaching has proven to be a beneficial alternative teaching pedagogy which was well-received by NPTs and student learners. The content creation and teaching experience deepened NPTs' understanding on the subject matter and were motivated given the autonomous nature of the project. NPTs enjoyed and benefited from the collaborative nature of the project and the relevance of the subject matter and improved their clinical skills. The student learners enjoyed the learning experience and benefits of learning from NPTs which is supported by social and cognitive congruence. The positive perception of teaching and learning in pairs were also described.

CONCLUSION

This project demonstrates the perceived benefits of near-peer teaching for clinical photography skills for student experiential learning and highlights key elements on how to structure such an activity to engage and support students to participate in such future activities.

Creating an Ultrasound Scholarly Concentration Program for Medical Students

INTRODUCTION

Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) is increasingly prevalent and standardized in undergraduate medical education (UME); however, roughly 25% of United States medical schools lack an ultrasound curriculum. One of the commonly cited barriers to ultrasound training in UME is faculty time resources. Here, we describe an ultrasound scholarly concentration program (SCP) designed to provide medical students with ultrasound opportunities in clinical and scholarly domains, while reducing the need for extensive faculty resources.

METHODS

SCPs at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine have 3 requirements: an elective course, a longitudinal portfolio, and a final scholarly project. Thus, the ultrasound SCP was designed to comprise an introductory clinical elective to ultrasound, development of a longitudinal scan portfolio, and a final scholarly project in ultrasound related research or educational innovation. A review of the literature and search of the top 50 US medical schools by US News & World Report was performed to assess the novelty of the ultrasound SCP.

RESULTS

To the best of our knowledge, the ultrasound SCP is the first scholarly concentration, track or pathway offered to medical students in the United States. It is the first description of a student designed and student led curriculum focused on providing meaningful ultrasound opportunities to students without necessitating unavailable faculty resources and educational infrastructure.

CONCLUSION

A novel ultrasound SCP is described which has clinical aims to expose students to clinical ultrasound as well as scholarly aims to facilitate ultrasound related research and educational innovation. It is designed to enable students to make ultrasound a defining characteristic of their medical school experience. The SCP relies on motivated student involvement and near-peer teaching in a way that is self-sustaining and self-improving.

Clinical Orthopaedic Teaching programme for Students (COTS)

Introduction

There is a huge variation in the depth and breadth of content taught regarding orthopaedic examinations. Undergraduate students are often confused by the variability in examination teaching, therefore increasing concerns for upcoming objectively structured clinical examinations (OSCEs). Doctors, despite being expected to teach, rarely receive formal preparation, with only a handful of institutions providing necessary training. The Clinical Orthopaedic Teaching programme for Students (COTS) was designed to equip medical students with the knowledge to perform orthopaedic examinations and to synergistically provide senior students with the necessary experience for the future teaching required of them.

Methods

Six fortnightly sessions were delivered, each focusing on a specific joint examination. Student and tutor recruitment were voluntary. Pre-session and post-session multiple-choice questions (MCQs) were provided to students to assess improvement in knowledge. Anonymous feedback forms were provided to both students and tutors.

Results

From 61 student responses, 98.4% of students stated that COTS met the learning outcomes, with content relevant for their medical curriculum. 96.7% supported COTS’ near-peer teaching (NPT) style for OSCE preparation. Based on a five-point Likert scale, students displayed a mean improvement in confidence (1.7±1.2, p<0.001) and MCQ scores (1.3±1.2, p<0.001). All 10 tutors perceived an improvement of their teaching skills and confidence to teach (1.0±0.9, p=0.016).

Conclusion

COTS shows that an NPT style can be used to effectively teach orthopaedic examinations, with benefits for students and tutors. With our aim to refine and upscale this programme, we publish our pilot study findings to encourage similar teaching programmes to be adopted at other universities.