title: A model for peer-assisted learning in paediatrics.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous studies have shown peer-assisted learning (PAL) to be an effective method of teaching, with benefits to students and tutors; however, the effect of PAL in paediatrics has not been evaluated in the literature. This study aimed to evaluate a student-led paediatrics revision course for students preparing for examinations in medical specialties.
  
  
  METHODS
  Students in their specialties year were invited to undergo a 1-day revision course consisting of a lecture and small group teaching, with a supplemental revision booklet. Tutors were recruited from the final-year cohort to facilitate the teaching. Questionnaires containing Likert-scale questions (1, strongly disagree; 5, strongly agree) were distributed before and after the course to assess its effectiveness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 62 per cent (87/140) of students who attended the course responded to the study. Students felt significantly more prepared for their exam after the course (mean 3.47 post-course versus 2.16 pre-course), and significantly more prepared to manage children in clinical practice (mean 3.49 post-course versus 2.53 pre-course). Students rated the course as good (4.35/5), with the small group sessions deemed to be the most useful aspect. Tutors agreed that participating had improved their teaching in general (4.0/5), their confidence (4.1/5), their clinical knowledge (3.6/5) and their oral presentation skills (3.8/5).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results demonstrate an effective model for students and tutors in building vital skills in paediatrics and exam preparation. This reinforces the holistic positive attributes attainable from peer-assisted learning, and such schemes should be incorporated into undergraduate medical curricula for paediatrics to increase student confidence and potentially increase recruitment to paediatrics.
authors.affiliation: Imperial College School of Medicine, Imperial College London, UK.
authors.forename: Ajay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gandhi
authors.forename: Nishal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Primalani
authors.forename: Sadaf
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Raza
authors.forename: Matko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marlais
mesh_terms: D004521:Educational Measurement; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education*; D010379:Peer Group; D013337:Students, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration