Near-peer versus faculty member teaching in endocrine physiology: Medical students' academic achievement and
Peyman Mahmudi1, Fatemeh Salmani2, Batool Eghbali3
1Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.
Background And Aim:
Given the recent significant changes in the teaching strategies for basic sciences in medicine, near-peer teaching (NPT) is gaining popularity as an effective educational method. This study aimed to investigate near-peer vs. faculty member teaching in endocrine physiology: medical students' academic achievement and satisfaction.
Materials And Methods:
This quasi-experimental study utilized a pre-test-post-test intervention design and involved all second-year medical students enrolled in the endocrine glands and reproductive systems physiology course. The intervention group participated in five sessions (four topics of endocrine physiology) of NPT led by a sixth-year medical student intern, along with five sessions of faculty teaching. In contrast, the control group, which consisted of all second-semester students, received the same ten sessions through faculty teaching. The academic achievement of the students was assessed based on their final exam scores and the pre-test-post-test scores obtained from each session. Additionally, students' satisfaction was measured using a researcher-designed questionnaire.
Results:
The results showed that in all four topics taught, both the NPT and the faculty teaching groups experienced a significant positive change in learning, evidenced by an increase in post-test when compared to pre-test scores. However, the faculty teaching group demonstrated notably greater improvements than the NPT group (P < 0.05), which was also reflected in the students' final exam scores. Additionally, students' satisfaction scores were significantly higher in the faculty teaching than in the NPT groups (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
While peer teaching is a valuable strategy in the teaching-learning process, medical students prefer lecture-based learning for basic sciences.
Related Concept Videos
What is the Endocrine System?
Endocrine Signaling
Endocrine Signaling
An Overview of the Endocrine System
The endocrine system collaborates...
Structures of the Endocrine System
Hormonal Regulation

