Developing a Peer-Mentor Program for Medical Students

• Published in: Teaching and learning in medicine Vol. 25; no. 1; pp. 97 - 102
• Main Authors: Taylor, Julie Scott, Faghri, Salma, Aggarwal, Nitin, Zeller, Kimberly, Dollase, Richard, Reis, Shmuel P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis Group 01-01-2013
• Subjects: Education, Medical, Undergraduate; Humans; Mentors - education; Peer Group; Program Development; Self Efficacy; Students, Medical; Surveys and Questionnaires; United States; United States
• ISSN: 1040-1334; 1532-8015
• DOI: 10.1080/10401334.2012.741544

Background: Doctoring is a 2-year preclinical course designed to teach medical students fundamental clinical skills.
Purpose: We designed, implemented, and evaluated an innovative and cost-effective peer-mentoring program embedded within Doctoring. Our Teaching Academy (TA) included a formal orientation for teaching "Fellows."
Methods: During academic years 2008-09 and 2009-10, 2nd-year students were systematically selected by course faculty and then trained as TA Fellows to peer-mentor 1st-year students. Both TA Fellows and 1st-year medical students completed anonymous written surveys.
Results: Peer-mentors reported a significant increase of confidence in their ability to provide feedback (p < .001). First-year students reported a significant increase of confidence in their ability to conduct a medical interview and perform a physical exam (p < .001 for each).
Conclusions: Student participation in a formal peer-mentor program embedded within a clinical skills course significantly increased, for both teachers and learners, confidence in their skills. Our program is easily transferrable to other courses and institutions.