RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of peer-assisted learning against expert-assisted learning in terms of scores achieved by medical students, and to assess the perceptions of students about peer-assisted learning. METHODS: The mixed-method study was conducted at Wah Medical College, Wah Cantonment, Pakistan, from October 2017 to December 2018, and comprised fourth year medical students who were randomised into groups A and B. In the first session the topic 'Data' was taught to group A by a peer and to group B by an expert teacher. In the next session the topic 'Sampling' was taught to group A by an expert teacher and to group B by a peer. Each session was followed by an assessment. Students' views about peer-assisted learning were collected using a predesigned questionnaire. An open-ended question about the role of expert in teaching was also asked from the students. Data was analysed using SPSS 22. Qualitative data was analysed to identify emerging themes. RESULTS: Of the 80 subjects, 41(51.25%) were group A and 39(48.75%) were in group B. Overall, there were 36(45%) males and 44(55%) females. In the first session, mean group A score was 6.85±1.99 and for group B it was 7.54±1.76 (p>0.05). In the second session, the mean score of group A was 6.12±2.06 and for group B it was 4.82±2.01 (p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Peer-assisted learning was found to be a valuable tool that can be incorporated in the curriculum delivery for easy topics. However the significance of expert's assistance, guidance and feedback cannot be negated.
