A Proposed Framework to Develop, Describe and Evaluate Peer-Assisted Learning Programs

PHENOMENON: Peer-assisted learning (PAL) is increasingly used in different fields of education, including medical education, due to its established advantages. However, there are scarce data about the best practice guidelines for PAL program evaluation. The aim of this work was to develop a framework that can describe and develop PAL programs and consequently provide a tool for evaluation and comparison of PAL programs among different institutions. APPROACH: A thorough literature review was made for assessment of different PAL programs development and implementation strategies, and PAL leaders at the University of Umm Al-Qura in Saudi Arabia were interviewed for development and revision of a framework for PAL program development, description and evaluation. FINDINGS: A framework of four sections was developed ie context, theory, implementation processes and outcomes, and emergence. The context includes the learning objectives and the logistics. The theory includes the content nature, program design, number of tutees and tutors, participation, program orientation, program duration and timing, tutor recruitment and preparation and faculty involvement. Implementation process and outcome section includes the feedback collection and the pre- and post-intervention students’ assessment. The emergence includes tracking the program evolution. INSIGHTS: Development of a clear well-defined framework for description, implementation and evaluation of a PAL educational program can provide a foundation to unify the terms organizations use to communicate the parameters of PAL programs and overcome the jargon about PAL in the literature. It also can provide comparisons between the programs in an attempt to set best practice guidelines in the future for PAL program developing and implementation.