Is there a place for medical students as teachers in the education of junior residents?
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to investigate a novel resident education model that turns the traditional surgical hierarchy upside down, termed a "reverse" peer-assisted learning curriculum.


METHODS
Thirty surgical topics were randomized between medical students and chief residents on each clinical team, with 1 topic being presented briefly during morning rounds. An exam evaluating junior residents' knowledge of these topics was administered before and after 1 month of presentations. A questionnaire was distributed to evaluate the junior residents' perceptions of this teaching model.


RESULTS
Thirty-four residents participated. There was a significant improvement in the mean examination score (54 vs 74, P < .05). No significant difference was noted in the mean score differentials of topics presented by either the medical students or the chief resident (21 vs 18, P = .22). More than 80% of the residents responded positively about the effectiveness of this exercise and agreed that they would like to see this model used on other services.


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirms the hypothesis that medical students can teach surgical topics to junior residents at least as effectively as their chief residents.
SUNY Downstate College of Medicine, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
Keith
K
Wirth
SUNY Downstate College of Medicine, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
Bethany
B
Malone
Department of Surgery, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
Kaylene
K
Barrera
Department of Surgery, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
Warren D
WD
Widmann
Department of Surgery, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
Christopher
C
Turner
Department of Surgery, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA. Electronic address: aliusanni01@gmail.com.
Aliu
A
Sanni
D003479:Curriculum; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods*; D007858:Learning; D017145:Models, Educational; D013337:Students, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*
Medical student; Near-peer teaching; Peer-assisted learning; Resident education