Characteristics and impacts of peer assisted learning in university studies in health science: A systematic review

Objective: Systematically analyse the characteristics and impact of peer assisted learning programmes implemented in undergraduate health education. Methods: Following the PRISMA protocol, we searched the electronic indexed databases WoS and SCOPUS; original studies reporting peer assisted learning in health science careers were included in the systematic review. Among them, the studies between 2010 and January 2020 were selected, and information regarding programme structures and principal results was subsequently extracted. Results: A total of 47 studies were included in the review. The most frequent programme characteristics were the near-peer teaching modality, lecture classes, clinical laboratories and peer tutor training. The main findings identified were benefits in tutors' confidence and knowledge, better student comprehension and a more comfortable learning environment in comparison with that established by academic tutors. Conclusion: Peer assisted learning programmes have shown qualitative benefits in the learning environment, generation of support networks and confidence in knowledge acquired. Nonetheless, quantitative benefits measured as improvements in marks are inconclusive. Future studies are needed to standardise the methodologies used to determine which characteristics are the most positive in the learning process. (c) 2021 Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. and Sociedad Espanola de Medicina Interna (SEMI). All rights reserved.