Can training in musculoskeletal examination skills be effectively delivered by undergraduate students as part of the standard curriculum?

Objectives: There is a need to improve competence of musculoskeletal system (MSS) examination in medical students and junior doctors. Peer-assisted learning (PAL) is a technique whereby students learn from and with each other. This study aimed to determine whether PAL can be integrated into standard undergraduate medical curricula to improve MSS examination using the gait, arms, legs, spine (GALS) screening tool.

Peer-assisted learning: a novel approach to clinical skills learning for medical students.

Objective: This study aimed to determine whether peer-assisted learning (PAL) can enhance clinical examination skills training.

Methods: Three student trainers studied small-group theory and clinical examination and provided PAL as extra tuition for 86 trainees. Trainees watched an examination video, were videotaped practising the examination and, after constructive feedback, repeated the examination.