Unpacking the perceptions and experiences of student facilitators in interprofessional education: a qualitative study

Enhancing health professional students' effective learning and collaborative practice requires a deep understanding of strategies for facilitating interprofessional learning. While faculty members and clinical preceptors are recognized as facilitators in interprofessional education (IPE), there is limited knowledge about the impact of student facilitators' engagement in IPE. Accordingly, this study aims to explore the perceptions and experiences of student facilitators in IPE. Thirteen student facilitators were recruited to lead an interprofessional learning program, and they were subsequently invited to participate in one-on-one interviews. An interview guide was developed to explore their motivations, expectations, engagement, effectiveness, and achievements in IPE facilitation. Thematic analysis was conducted using MAXQDA software to analyze the student facilitators' experiences and perceptions. Eight interviewees from various disciplines, including Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Speech and Hearing Sciences, and Social Work, took part in the study. The findings revealed that student facilitators highly valued their IPE facilitation experience, which aligned with their expectations and led to the creation of social networks, increased confidence, improved understanding of other professions, and the development of lifelong skills. Furthermore, the student facilitators demonstrated cognitive and social congruence by establishing a relaxed learning environment, displaying empathetic and supportive behaviors, and using inclusive language to engage IPE learners in group discussions. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the role of student facilitators in IPE, contributing to the evolving literature on IPE. A conceptual framework was developed to explore the entire facilitation experience, encompassing the motivations and expectations of student facilitators, their engagement and effectiveness, and the observed achievements. These findings can inform the development of peer teaching training in IPE and stimulate further research in identifying relevant facilitator competencies for optimal delivery of IPE.

Medical students as facilitators for laparoscopic simulator training

BACKGROUND

Teaching basic clinical skills to student peers and residents by medical students has previously been shown effective. This study examines if medical students can facilitate laparoscopic procedural tasks to residents using a virtual reality simulator.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study comparing 2 groups of gynecology residents. One group was instructed by 2 student facilitators, and a resident facilitator instructed the other group. Facilitators in both the groups were experienced in laparoscopic simulator training. The outcome measures were time and repetitions to complete a laparoscopic simulator training program.

RESULTS

A total of 51 residents participated: 15 in the student-facilitated group and 36 in the resident-facilitated group after 18 and 7 residents dropped out, respectively. The student-facilitated group averaged 230 minutes, while the resident-facilitated group averaged 200 minutes (p = 0.724). To complete the final examination module, the student-facilitated group required 19.5 repetitions vs 39.2 in the resident-facilitated group (p = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that students can be used as facilitators as an alternative to residents when practicing on a laparoscopic virtual reality simulator.

Near-peer teaching in a required third-year clerkship

Students who teach less experienced students within the same educational program are known as near-peer teachers. A number of studies have shown that near-peers are effective teachers in preclinical courses such as anatomy and physical examination. We hypothesized that near-peers could also be effective teachers in a clinical clerkship. We report on a pilot study in which near-peers participated in a training session and then taught a brief problem-focused skills curriculum to third-year students during a required ambulatory medicine rotation. The clerkship students assigned high ratings to the near-peer teachers, both on an absolute scale and relative to faculty. The results suggest that including near-peers as teachers in a clinical clerkship may be appropriate and that this concept deserves further investigation.