Peer teaching medical students during a pandemic

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Peer-to-Peer Learning
• Pandemic Response

Background:

• Structured, formulaic peer-led teaching sessions have been delivered by a student society for three years.
• Reduced access to clinical teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the value of peer-led sessions.
• The need to maintain teaching accessibility for all students, regardless of location, prompted a format redesign.

Discussion:

• Transitioning to online peer teaching presented unique challenges during the pandemic.
• Maintaining engagement and effective knowledge transfer in a virtual environment required innovative approaches.
• The experience provided valuable insights into the adaptability of student-led educational initiatives.

Key Insights:

• Online platforms can facilitate continued peer teaching when in-person sessions are disrupted.
• Flexibility in teaching format is crucial for ensuring educational continuity during crises.
• Student-led initiatives demonstrate resilience and adaptability in medical education.

Outlook:

• Future medical education may incorporate hybrid models blending online and in-person peer teaching.
• Lessons learned can inform the development of robust online medical education strategies.
• Sustaining peer teaching networks can enhance medical student support and learning beyond the pandemic.