Peer Teaching in Medical Education: Highlighting the Benefits and Challenges of Its Implementation

Abstract

Peer teaching is an educational strategy that embraces active learning, it explores the social dynamics and interactions as well as the communication and interpersonal skills that influence learning. Embedded within peer teaching as an educational strategy are several theories which promote active learning. It is very important to have a good understanding of the various philosophies underpinning the learning process, because of the numerous variables that have to be considered in order to make the implementation of peer teaching a successful exercise in the context of medical education. Based on the outcome of an extensive literature review together with field experience of the authors, the focus of the current paper will be to highlight the benefits and challenges that should be anticipated by medical educators who want to introduce peer teaching into their teaching and learning activities as part of innovation that would enhance active learning among their students.