Exploring the Experiences of Medical Students from Implementing a Peer Program as a Mentor: A Qualitative Study

S Najafipour; T Rahimi; A Roustazadeh; N Dadgar; E Rayeatdost; M  Rahmanian; M  Haghbin; A Sadrneshin; Z  Dehdashti jahromei; P Pourabbas; B  Omid Mokhtar Khanlou; HR  Mortazavee

doi:10.18502/jmed.v17i3.11292

S Najafipour Assistant Professor of Medical Education, School of Medicine, Department of Medical Education, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
T Rahimi Assistant Professor of Health Education, School of Medicine, Department of Health Education, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
A Roustazadeh Associate Professor of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Department of Medical Education, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
N Dadgar General Medical student, School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
E Rayeatdost Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
M Rahmanian Assistant Professor of Anesthesia, School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesia, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
M Haghbin Assistant Professor of Surgery, School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
A Sadrneshin General Medical student, School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
Z Dehdashti jahromei General Medical student, School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
P Pourabbas General Medical student, School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
B Omid Mokhtar Khanlou General Medical student, School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
HR Mortazavee General Medical student, School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jmed.v17i3.11292

Keywords: Peer group, Mentor, Medical student, Qualitative study

Abstract

Introduction: Today, peer education programs focus on scientific support, guiding and creating interaction between students has been considered to model students' scientific progress. The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of medical students from implementing the peer program as a mentor using a qualitative framework.

Methods: The present study is a qualitative study of the type of contractual content analysis with code of ethics IR.NASRME.REC.1400.067. The participants were selected by purposive sampling method with maximum diversity approach, including 30 medical students and 13 peers as mentors from 94 to 1400 entries. Qualitative data were collected using in-depth semi-structured interviews. The duration of the interviews was between 45-60 minutes.

Result: In total, 24 girls (55.8 percent) and 19 boys (44.2 percent) students participated in this study. From the total interviews conducted, 267 open codes, 5 categories and 2 main themes were extracted. The main topics and classes include "Peer as mentor program; a need-based approach" with the sub-themes of facilitating the learning process, accelerating the achievement of goals and developing communication skills, and "The need to promote the peer as mentor program" with the sub-themes of the need to strengthen the infrastructure and the necessity of reviewing the standards related to the selection of the group leader.

Conclusion: The findings of the study showed that the process of the peer training program as a mentor is accompanied by challenges, but it can facilitate, increase theoretical and practical learning, as well as develop the communication skills of medical students.