Benefits and challenges of peer learning methods in health professional students: A literature review

Abstract

Introduction: The curriculum for health profession education uses a variety of teaching techniques. A strategy is needed to create a creative learning environment during the implementation of the academic learning process so that students can achieve the expected competencies. Peer learning is one of the learning methods to facilitate student learning experience. Peer learning (PL) uses peers as tutors in the learning process and the process of students learning with and from each other. The application of the peer learning method in the health student learning curriculum is considered to have several advantages and challenges. Purpose: To identify the benefits and challenges of implementing peer learning methods on health professional students. Methodology: This study is a literature review with databases form ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus and Emerald. The articles search results obtained 10 articles that were screened using the PRISMA guide. This study is looking for articles about peer learning methods in health students who are included in the inclusion criteria. Findings: There are total 1273 articles obtained from 4 databases, with details ScienceDirect 499 articles, PubMed 366 articles, Scopus 255 articles and Emerald 153 articles. The results of a review of 10 articles show that the peer learning method can be implemented in academic learning settings as well as clinical learning. The application of peer learning methods in the learning process has several benefits including; improve social skills, increase knowledge and better understanding of learning materials, increase self-confidence, improve clinical skills. Apart from the benefits, there are some challenges in implementing the PL method. Implication: PL can be applied in health student learning because it has many benefits for health students.