Near peer teaching in medical curricula: integrating student teachers in pathology tutorials.

INTRODUCTION: Due to increased cognitive and social congruence with their tutees, near peer teachers (NPTs) may be capable of more effectively delivering course material. This study examines NPTs as pathology tutors alongside more traditional teachers (e.g., consultants and registrars) to explore their acceptability, effectiveness, and years of 'distance' between tutors and tutees. METHOD: In total, 240 first- and second-year undergraduate medical students were taught set material in a pathology tutorial setting by NPTs (fourth-year medical students), registrars, or consultants. Learners were then asked to provide feedback using a 15-item, Likert-type scale. RESULTS: On 11 of the 15 items, there were no significant differences in students' median ratings. However, NPTs were perceived to be significantly more approachable than consultants, more aware of learning outcomes, more receptive to student input, and more invested in exam success. Compared with second-year students, first-year students showed a preference towards registrar tutors in terms of perceived gain of knowledge and use of time. In contrast, second-year students showed a preference towards NPTs, who provided more perceived knowledge gain and investment in exam success. No significant differences were found regarding consultant tutors. DISCUSSION: Perhaps due to increased congruence with tutees, NPTs show promise as tutors within medical curricula. This provides advantages not only to tutees, but also to tutors - who may gain vital teaching experience and offer an effective supplement to 'traditional' faculty educators.

Clinical assessment of speech correlates well with lung function during induced bronchoconstriction.

Clinical assessment of asthma often includes a crude assessment of speech, for example whether the patient can speak in full sentences. To date, this statement, despite appearing in national asthma guidelines, has not been related to lung function testing in asthma exacerbation. Seven asthmatics underwent a bronchial challenge and were then recorded reading a standardised text for 1 min. The recordings were played to 88 healthcare professionals who were asked to estimate FEV1% predicted. Health care professionals' estimations showed moderate correlation to FEV1% predicted (rho=0.61 P<0.01). There were no significant differences between professionals grouped by seniority or speciality. Speech can intuitively be estimated by health care professionals with moderate accuracy. This gives an evidence basis for the assessment in speech in acute asthma and may provide a new avenue for monitoring.