title: "Helping someone with a skill sharpens it in your own mind": a mixed method study exploring health professions students experiences of Peer Assisted Learning (PAL).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Peer assisted learning (PAL) has been described as "the development of knowledge and skill through active help and support among status equals or matched companions". To enhance the learning experience of health professions students and improve collaborative and collegial learning, six pilot Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) projects were conducted across a health science faculty.
  
  
  METHODS
  A responsive mixed method evaluation design was applied to explore the adequacy of the preparation for PAL, the impact PAL had on student attainment of examination, consultation, communication and feedback skills and to explore students' learning experiences through PAL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 149 participants agreed the training programme was well organised, offered a safe learning environment and prepared the participant for the PAL activity. The impact of PAL included improvements in students' confidence and ability to give feedback and developed students' teaching, clinical and communication skills. Qualitative analysis revealed participants experienced deeper learning through teaching and learning from their peers, became more open to giving and receiving feedback and valued the comfortable/safe learning environment offered through PAL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Providing appropriate training in peer teaching and feedback and the schools engagement and openness to peer learning in the classroom and clinical setting enhances students' peer assisted learning experience.
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Western Australia, MB515, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, 6009, WA, Australia. Sandra.carr@uwa.edu.au.
authors: Sandra E
authors: SE
authors: Carr
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Western Australia, MB515, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, 6009, WA, Australia.
authors: Gabrielle
authors: G
authors: Brand
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Western Australia, MB515, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, 6009, WA, Australia.
authors: Li
authors: L
authors: Wei
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Western Australia, MB515, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, 6009, WA, Australia.
authors: Helen
authors: H
authors: Wright
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Western Australia, MB515, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, 6009, WA, Australia.
authors: Pam
authors: P
authors: Nicol
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Western Australia, MB515, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, 6009, WA, Australia.
authors: Helene
authors: H
authors: Metcalfe
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Western Australia, MB515, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, 6009, WA, Australia.
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Saunders
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Western Australia, MB515, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, 6009, WA, Australia.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Payne
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Western Australia, MB515, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, 6009, WA, Australia.
authors: Liza
authors: L
authors: Seubert
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Western Australia, MB515, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, 6009, WA, Australia.
authors: Laurie
authors: L
authors: Foley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D003162:Competency-Based Education / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D006281:Health Occupations / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013336:Students, Health Occupations / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult