Undergraduate peer education : a means to promote inter-professional understanding?

Collins, B; Clark, C

Abstract

Introduction: Peer education was introduced in the
occupational therapy (OT) and physiotherapy (PT) programmes
to promote students’ communication, facilitation and education
skills. It involves peer-led collaborative facilitation of learning,
supervised by an academic. It was initially conceptualised in the
eighteenth century by Bell (Topping 1988); it has recently been
used in clinical settings (Priharjo and Hoy 2011) and in health
education (Lipton et al 2006).
Method: Third year students facilitated first years in their own
profession (intraprofessional peer education). Third year OTs and
PTs also facilitated skills sessions for each other (interprofessional
peer education). The results of both intraprofessional
and interprofessional experiences were evaluated using
questionnaires and analysing comments. The total number of
third year participants were 32 OT and 23 PT.
Results: The most helpful aspects were: preparation of sessions
(OT 70% PT 100%); facilitation itself (OT 88% PT 80%);
reflection on the session (OT 100% PT 72%) and learning
from peers (OT 78% PT 100%). OT students found it helpful
to understand what PT students knew about OT: PTs had little
understanding of the role of OT, particularly in mental health
and learning disability. Likewise OTs had limited understanding
of PT roles. It helped both groups to understand the link
between the two professions.
Discussion: Students were very positive about peer education.
It was anticipated that it would enhance communication
and facilitation skills but the outcome that it enhanced their
knowledge and respect for each other’s professions was striking.
Could peer education be introduced more widely as a core
strategy to enhance interprofessional working?

Citation

Collins, B., & Clark, C. Undergraduate peer education : a means to promote inter-professional understanding?. Presented at College of Occupational Therapists 37th Annual Conference and Exhibition, Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC), Glasgow, United Kingdom

• Presentation Conference Type: Other
• Conference Name: College of Occupational Therapists 37th Annual Conference and Exhibition
• Conference Location: Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC), Glasgow, United Kingdom
• End Date: Jun 20, 2013
• Online Publication Date: Jul 1, 2013
• Publication Date: Jun 19, 2013
• Deposit Date: Jul 14, 2020
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/03080226130767S101
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/03080226130767S101
• Additional Information: Event Type : Conference