title: Peer coaching: the next step in staff development.
abstract: A common problem in continuing nursing education and staff development is the transfer of learning to clinical practice. Peer coaching offers a solution to this problem. Initiated by educators, peer coaching has been researched in educational settings and found to be effective in facilitating the transfer of newly acquired knowledge and skill into classroom teaching strategies. This article describes the background, components, process, characteristics, and benefits of peer coaching. A specific example of using peer coaching to teach clinical breast examination skills is used to illustrate the application of peer coaching to the staff development of healthcare professionals. Peer coaching is the next step in nursing staff development.
authors.affiliation: North Georgia College & State University, Dahlonega, Georgia 30597, USA.
authors.forename: Donna L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Waddell
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dunn
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004650:Employee Performance Appraisal; D005246:Feedback; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008611:Mentors / Q000523:psychology*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D019370:Observation; D010379:Peer Group; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000451:nursing; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012944:Social Support; D013192:Staff Development / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014163:Transfer, Psychology