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Filling the void: Peer-assisted learning's effects & acceptability in basic medical subjects using randomized control
Arshia Bilal1, Iffat Noreen1, Asifa Afzal1
1Department of Community Medicine, Fazaia Medical College, Islamabad, Pakistan.
JPMA. the Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association
|April 22, 2026
Summary
Peer-assisted learning (PAL) was explored in medical students. While PAL was perceived as effective by most students, it did not significantly improve exam scores in basic science subjects.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Pedagogy
Background:
- Integrated curricula in medical schools require effective teaching strategies.
- Peer-assisted learning (PAL) offers a potential solution for enhancing basic science education.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of PAL in basic science subjects for undergraduate medical students.
- To assess the acceptability of PAL among these students.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled study involved second-year medical students at Fazaia Medical College, Pakistan.
- An intervention group received weekly PAL sessions for five weeks in the gastrointestinal tract and Nutrition module (GIT&Nut module).
- Post-module exam scores and feedback questionnaires were used for data analysis.
Main Results:
- The intervention group showed higher mean scores (58.9±25.4) than the control group (45.6±29.9), though this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.14).
- Over 75% of participants found PAL to be an effective and easy learning strategy (p<0.001).
Conclusions:
- The majority of students considered peer-assisted learning an effective educational strategy.
- Despite positive student perception, PAL did not yield a statistically significant improvement in module exam scores.
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