On the Effect of Peer-assisted learning in the teaching of pelvic fractures

Abstract

Objective To explore the feasibility and effectiveness of peer-assisted learning (PAL) in the clinical probation teaching of orthopaedics in excellent doctors classes. Methods Forty students in the 2014 excellent doctors class in Inner Mongolia Medical University were selected and randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group. The experimental group adopted the PAL teaching mode, and the control group received the ordinary teaching mode. At the end of the internship, theoretical knowledge and practical skills tests were conducted, and self-evaluation and course evaluation were completed in the form of questionnaires. Results The scores of the experimental group in theoretical knowledge and practical skills were higher than those of the control group, and the differences are statistically significant [theoretical scores (97.2±0.7) vs. (90.2±1.3); practical operation scores (98.5±2.4) vs. (89.2±1.5); case analysis (98.1±0.8) vs. (92.3±2.8), P<0.05]. Students in the experimental group were generally satisfied with their mastering of the basic theoretical knowledges and clinical practice skills of orthopaedics. Conclusion The application of the PAL model in clinical probation teaching not only stimulates students' enthusiasm for learning, but also enhances their eagerness in self-learning; it helps students master the basic theoretical knowledge and clinical skills better in clinical probation. Key words: Peer-assisted learning; Internship; Excellent doctors; Teaching