Table 1
Demographics of PAL Placement Setting.
| LOCATION | 2nd YEAR (n = 16) | 4th YEAR (n = 17) |
|---|---|---|
| Urban | 6 (38%) | 12 (71%) |
| Suburban or rural | 10 (62%) | 5 (29%) |
| Total number of peer learners | ||
| Two | 14 (88%) | 16 (94%) |
| Three | 1 (6%) | 0 (0%) |
| Four | 1 (6%) | 1 (6%) |
| Five | 0 (0%) | 0 (0%) |
[i] Note. “Urban” is defined as Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, and all communities within a 50 km radius. “Suburban or rural” is defined as a community greater than 50 km from Calgary or Edmonton, Alberta.
Table 2
Frequency and Description of Peer Interactions n = 28.
| FREQUENCY OF INTERACTION WITH PEER | NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS |
|---|---|
| Multiple times per day | 28 (100%) |
| Once daily | 0 (0%) |
| Every other day | 0 (0%) |
| Weekly | 0 (0%) |
| Less than weekly | 0 (0%) |
| Not at all | 0 (0%) |
| Activities performed with peer | |
| Site or clinical area orientation | 26 (93%) |
| Inter-professional experiences (e.g., shadowing or collaborating with health professionals) | 22 (79%) |
| One or more discussions as outlined in the course syllabus (e.g., ethical scenarios) | 27 (96%) |
| Patient care discussions | 25 (89%) |
| Therapeutic discussions | 25 (89%) |
| Completing patient care activities (e.g., observing or obtaining medication reconciliation activities or best possible medication history, allergy assessments, patient assessments, patient interviews) | 19 (68%) |
| Reviewing peer’s documentation and providing feedback | 19 (68%) |
| Providing feedback on patient care presentations or in-services | 19 (68%) |
Table 3
Advantages and Challenges of PAL with Respondent Rating n = 25.
| ADVANTAGES AND CHALLENGES | DISAGREE OR SOMEWHAT DISAGREE | SOMEWHAT AGREE OR AGREE |
|---|---|---|
| Theme: Skills | ||
| Improved my ability to problem solve | 0 (0%) | 25 (100%) |
| Improved my skills in collaborative decision making with patients, families, and healthcare providers | 2 (8%) | 23 (92%) |
| Improved my teaching skills | 3 (12%) | 22 (88%) |
| Helped me reflect on my learning | 3 (12%) | 22 (88%) |
| Improved my communication skills (i.e., verbal and written communication) | 2 (8%) | 23 (92%) |
| Theme: Therapeutic knowledge | ||
| Improved my understanding of therapeutic concepts and retention of knowledge | 3 (12%) | 22 (88%) |
| Theme: Confidence | ||
| Improved my confidence in myself | 2 (8%) | 23 (92%) |
| Helped me perform clinical activities with independence | 6 (24%) | 19 (76%) |
| Allowed me to ask questions that I might not have been as comfortable asking my preceptor | 3 (12%) | 22 (88%) |
| Allowed me to determine my progress against my peer | 0 (0%) | 25 (100%) |
| Theme: Comfort | ||
| Helped reduce my anxiety during my placement | 3 (12%) | 22 (88%) |
| Theme: Coordination of PAL | ||
| I felt I had enough one-on-one time with the preceptor | 7 (28%) | 18 (72%) |
| I felt I had enough tasks to provide a steady workload throughout the placement | 3 (12%) | 22 (88%) |
| I felt I had clear expectations of my role as a peer in a PAL placement | 3 (12%) | 22 (88%) |
| I felt there was enough workspace and computers to complete the tasks for all PAL students | 8 (32%) | 17 (68%) |
| Theme: Peer conflict | ||
| I felt intimidated as a result of my fellow peers | 20 (80%) | 5 (20%) |
| I felt “held back” as a result of my fellow peers | 18 (72%) | 7 (28%) |
| I felt I experienced a personality conflict with my peers | 19 (76%) | 6 (24%) |
| I felt my peers and I had different learning styles, which made it difficult to work together | 19 (76%) | 6 (24%) |
| Theme: Feedback | ||
| Allowed me to receive multiple sources of feedback | 1 (4%) | 24 (96%) |
| I felt uncomfortable providing difficult feedback to my peers (only answer if applicable) | 17 (68%) | 8 (32%) |
| I felt uncomfortable receiving difficult feedback from my peers (only answer if applicable) | 20 (80%) | 5 (20%) |
Table 4
Feedback on Options to Optimize the Students PAL Experience n = 25.
| STRATEGY | DISAGREE OR SOMEWHAT DISAGREE | SOMEWHAT AGREE OR AGREE |
|---|---|---|
| Additional training focused on how to provide and receive constructive feedback with peers is needed. | 4 (16%) | 21 (84%) |
| Orientation sessions where personal experiences and tips for success are shared by students who previously completed PAL placements will be helpful. | 8 (32%) | 17 (68%) |
| Additional information is needed to increase my understanding of the responsibilities and expectations as a peer. | 7 (28%) | 18 (72%) |
| Receiving feedback from my preceptor and peer on how I could improve as a peer learner would improve my experience. | 6 (24%) | 19 (76%) |
| Additional activities focused on conflict resolution will help me better prepare for potential similar situations I could face in a PAL placement. | 7 (28%) | 18 (72%) |