A near-peer teaching program designed, developed and delivered exclusively by recent medical graduates for final year medical students sitting the final objective structured clinical examination (OSCE)

Peer and near-peer learning are rapidly expanding areas of educational research across many disciplines [1, 2]. Medicine is no exception and there are several descriptions of peer teaching in the medical literature [3]. This is perhaps not surprising considering the emphasis that is placed on teaching by the General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK and the international medical community [4, 5]. Most medical professionals are now expected to teach students as an integral part of their role as doctor, indeed several authors in the field of medical education have highlighted that 'doctor' in Latin means 'teacher' [5].

Numerous medical schools have a form of peer teaching integrated into their curriculum under the guise of problem-based learning PBL [6]. In medical literature the peer-assisted learning model has demonstrated benefits in many areas of medical teaching from socio-cultural diversity training to ultrasound image interpretation [7, 8]. A key principle and benefit of peer-assisted learning is that peers can help other peers learn, consolidate and improve their knowledge in the process [7, 9].

In 1988 Whitman introduced the term 'near-peer teaching' [10]. According to Bulte et al a near-peer tutor is 'a trainee one or more years senior to another trainee on the same level of medical education training' and a peer-tutor is one at the same level [5]. Rodrigues et al noted that many papers use the terms near-peer and peer-assisted learning interchangeably without reference to any seniority [11]. In 2007 Ten Cate and Durning surveyed the 2006 medical literature for reports of peer-teaching and although they found numerous descriptions they concluded many reports do not become full length journal articles [3]. Suggested reasons why so few are published in full include the often informal nature of peer-teaching and the lack of evaluation [12].

Ten Cate and Durning evaluated the reasons behind the introduction of peer teaching [3]. Ten of the studies they considered advocate peer teaching as a potential means of reducing teaching pressures on trained faculty staff [11–13]. Rodrigues et al further elaborate noting that the increasing number of medical students and constraints on doctors teaching (due to increased workload) is encouraging the development of such programmes [11].

A further rationale for peer teaching, and a possible explanation for the many positive outcomes is 'cognitive congruence', a concept described by Lockspeiser et al [14]. The close proximity of age and recent similar experiences of peer tutors provides an added benefit as near-peer teachers have a better appreciation of the knowledge held by junior peers and can therefore target teaching at an appropriate level [12]. This is supported by Rodrigues et al who comment that junior doctors are effective near peer teachers as their added experiences as a doctor, combined with their recent experience of medical school examinations, provides informed insight [11]. In addition Leeper et al suggest that cognitive congruence promotes a more relaxed learning environment [15]. Ten Cate and Durning discuss a similar 'comfortable and safe environment' for learning [3]. Peer teaching also provides a benefit to the teachers who can consolidate their knowledge as they prepare content, gain teaching experience, receive recognition for their teaching and often receive formal teacher training [5, 11].

Given the lack of data regarding the effectiveness of near-peer teaching programs for a large student cohort we created a platform for junior doctors to gain experience in delivering teaching as well as developing educational resources and planning tutorials. Our primary aim was to evaluate a near-peer led revision program designed, developed, and delivered by recent medical graduates for a large number of final year medical students (n = 125) sitting their final objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). We aimed to show that junior doctors are effective near-peer tutors for medical students, providing a unique and valuable perspective to their OSCE preparation.

Junior doctors are well placed to teach students as they share recent experiences and are familiar with the assessment processes. Furthermore recent medical graduates acting as near-peer tutors should not be confined to the role of teaching delivery but can also effectively design, develop, and co-ordinate a revision program to a large number of students.

Our hypothesis is that:

One hundred and twenty-five final year medical students were recruited via emails Of the 125 attendees, 118 students (94.4%) completed self-administered feedback questionnaires.

Several authors have compared peer tutors to medical faculty tutors and have found little or no effect in the quality of teaching or long term outcomes [8, 12, 13, 21, 22]. In a single blinded randomised controlled trial conducted at Oxford University Hughes et al compared peer led and expert led advanced cardiac resuscitation training [13]. They concluded that peer instructors could provide training to small groups comparable to that delivered by experts. Nestel et al acknowledged that students recognise and identify the benefits of having experienced medical teachers [12]. We agree that medical tutors have a significant role in delivering teaching to medical students however near-peers provide a unique perspective and approach that is commonly well received. Participants in most studies were volunteers and therefore they may be unrepresentative of the general student population as arguably the best motivated and most receptive students are most likely to participate [8, 12].

In the majority of the studies conducted in this field peers or near peers teach small groups [5, 12, 13]. The number of students in a group in Hughes et al's randomised controlled trial was limited to 7 [13]. Each tutor lead a study group of only 4 students in the study by Rodriguez et al [11]. There is limited research into the effectiveness of near-peer led teaching programs for large groups of students. Our study included teaching in several sized groups ranging from twenty-five (small-group seminars) to 125 in a more traditional lecture-based format. We believe that any such program should include a variety of teaching modalities to keep the students engaged and motivated throughout. Furthermore, certain topics lend themselves well to being discussed in smaller groups such as ethics teaching. Our study has shown that students responded positively to teaching delivered by near-peer tutors using different modalities and group sizes provided that the content was relevant.

Bulte et al considered roles best suited for near-peer teachers [5]. Retrospective surveys of participants (learners and teachers) of near-peer teaching were evaluated. They identified that information provider; role model and facilitator were viewed as appropriate roles for near-peer teachers whereas planner and resource developer may be less suitable roles. This study did not consider the experience of the respondents, in terms of planning and resource management. It could therefore be the case that near-peer teachers rate these roles as less suitable simply because they lack experience. If near-peer tutors can be taught to provide information effectively it is plausible they can be taught to plan and manage resources. Our study showed that a program developed and delivered exclusively by near-peers could be beneficial to medical students preparing for an OSCE. It is important to note that external support is also incredibly useful, especially from experienced faculty staff. However we believe that such programs are well received by students when external influence on content is limited. Leeper et al describe an education module designed and presented by medical students for their peers, with faculty assistance and support [15]. The outcomes were positive and the module was described as 'inherently student orientated'. Students performed well when module content appeared in their final examination.

Rodrigues et al describe a near-pear teaching scheme, devised by junior doctors who developed prescribing and clinical examination sessions for medical students [11]. Medical students again fed back favourably and a positive effect was noted in a mock examination where attendees made significantly fewer prescribing errors.

Some resistance against near-peer teaching programs centre on lack of training and experience of near-peer tutors. There is limited research considering whether peer-teachers require extensive training. Knobe et al compared the teaching of musculoskeletal ultrasound by peer-teachers with experienced teachers and reported that there was no difference in student outcomes between the groups [8]. This study was limited to ultrasonography teaching and any extrapolation to other aspects of undergraduate medical education should be made with caution. However there is still no evidence to suggest that near-peer tutors without formal training provide teaching that is detrimental to students. Knobe et al also report that didactic training of the peer-teachers was not necessary. In a similar study Tolsgard et al compared teaching of catheterisation and intra-venous access and found that students taught by peers performed as well as experienced teachers (associate professors). Like many authors Tolsgard et al regard the training of peer-teachers as important [21, 22]. We are keen to explore this in subsequent work.

A limitation common throughout current research, including this paper, is the selection of motivated peer teachers, with special interests in medical education. This was noted by Tang et al who commented that prospective tutors enrolled to enhance their skillset [7]. Consequently the results of these papers may reflect the benefit of peer assisted learning by well-motivated peer teachers. It could equally be said however that we should not expect near-peer tutors to have special interests early in their career. Our near-peer tutors were recruited based on an expressed interest to teach medical students. They too fall into the select cohort of enthusiastic and well-motivated near-peer tutors. Further research is required to identify early attributes in medical students that may develop into an interest in becoming near-peer tutors later in their training.

This limitation can also be applied to our sample cohort. By enrolling students on a first come first served basis our sample cohort is not fully representative of the entire final year medical student population as the most enthusiastic and diligent students are likely enrol in such programs earlier than less motivated students. Furthermore, some students feel that near-peer learning does not suit their learning style and that revision courses are not necessary in preparation for OSCE examinations. These students are therefore also not represented in our study by self-exclusion.

Despite our positive results it is important to recognise other limitations of this study. Firstly, the data gathered were entirely qualitative from self-administered questionnaires. Furthermore, questionnaires were provided at the beginning of the course and students were asked to complete the evaluation at the time of teaching. Such immediate feedback is likely to be favourable and therefore a repeat feedback request after a period of time could be employed in future. Later feedback was not sought due to logistic difficulties, as medical students undertake an overseas elective module soon after the final OSCE. Comparison to OSCE results would be a useful measurement that could be applied to future studies.

Another important consideration is that although this program produced good results and was well valued by final year medical students it may not be necessarily transferable to other situations. The success of this and any program relies on the motivation and enthusiasm of the near-peer tutors as well as the students who participate. Furthermore, our student population were approaching a final clinical examination and this program may have been successful solely because students often welcome any supplementary teaching.

The conditions for success in our revision program were the enthusiastic and dedicated recent graduates with personal knowledge of the examination system. A well-organised structure utilising appropriate teaching styles applied according to topics. And this inclusion of 'tricky' topics not thoroughly covered by traditional teaching. An important factor as to why near-peer revision programs such as this one succeed is regarding the students' expectations and confidence prior to sitting clinical examinations and how this is affected by attending near-peer teaching.

This work has highlighted some interesting points within the field of medical education. We have demonstrated findings in keeping with the current research that teaching delivered by near-peer tutors was very well received by medical students. Students found that recent medical graduates provided a unique perspective to OSCE preparation. The teaching and advice offered by recent medical graduates to their undergraduate near-peers helped improve confidence and align expectations for OSCE preparation.

This study has demonstrated that a revision program can be designed, developed and delivered by recent medical graduates without external influences from senior colleagues. Near-peer teaching can arise from a process of development that does not necessarily involve senior consultants and professors. It is important however that teaching delivered by near-peers does not have potentially negative effects on medical students examination preparation and therefore senior support is very beneficial in such programs. Furthermore this study provides evidence that junior doctors can successfully effectively design, develop, and co-ordinate a revision program to a large number of students. We therefore support the use of junior doctors as near-peer tutors in variety of roles aside from teaching delivery including program development and organisation.