AHP Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) placements

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Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) information and guidance for Allied Health Professions (AHP) practice educators

*This page is currently being reviewed and updated. Please note in time any references to the older PAL guidance document will be removed, and links made only to the new PAL guidance document for practice educators.

Introduction

Peer assisted learning (PAL) is an evidence-based model of PrBL delivery in which ‘Two or more learners working together in the practice setting supervised by one practice education team.’ 

This definition is taken from the AHP Principles of Practice-Based Learning

Resources on this page, including the animation below, have been developed to raise awareness of this model and support your ability to plan, deliver and evaluate a PAL placement and have been organised into the following sections:

  1. PAL guidance documents
  2. Planning a PAL placement
  3. PAL in action - videos and case studies
  4. Evaluating a PAL placement
  5. PAL training for practice educators
  6. Literature search

 

Please note in a PAL placement there may be one practice educator as mentioned in this video, or more than one practice educator.

Do you want to access a 30-minute bitesize CPD session on peer assisted learning?
  • If you are not a member please join the AHP Practice-based Learning Virtual Community through this link: MS Forms Link 
  • Once you have joined the community or if you are already a member, access the event recording and slides via the community's CPD Events channel (recordings folder within the channel files)
1. Peer assisted learning (PAL) guidance documents

We are currently updating our PAL guidance documents. The updated guidance for practice educators can be accessed here:

https://newsletters.nes.digital/the-ahp-practice-education-development-framework/peer-assisted-learning-pal-guidance-for-ahp-practice-educators/

 

The original guidance documents which are referred to in some of the videos within this page can be accessed below.

Guidance packs for students

2. Planning a PAL placement

This video shows two practice educators meeting to set up and plan a PAL placement

 

In addition to the video above there is also a peer assisted learning ‘How to' session that helps answer some questions about setting up PAL placements. A recording of the session and supporting resources can be accessed here:  AHP PrBL 'How to' workshops | Turas | Learn (nhs.scot)

3. PAL in action

It is acknowledged having theory and resources to implement a PAL placement is of benefit to practice educators. Practice educator feedback has highlighted the need to see what PAL looks like in practice.

This video shows Peer Assisted Leaning in Action. Two physiotherapy students are interviewing and assessing a patient within a ward setting. The video shows the interaction between the two students and how they work together, sharing knowledge and skills. It also demonstrates how confidence can be gained by working with a fellow student.

The video can also be used as a structure for discussion with other practice educators:

• Consider the dynamics between the students – is one more confident than the other – if so how would you manage this?

• What feedback would you give the students?

• What would be your next steps?

Nonclinical tasks and PAL

Read student reflections on setting up a journal group.

Supervision and PAL

This video shows two students having a supervision session

A practice educator shares some reflections on supervising a PAL placement.

5. PAL training for practice educators

If you are interested in supporting and developing a PAL placement we would suggest you undertake the following learning:

  1. Watch PAL animation (available below and in the introduction section of this Turas page)
  2. Watch PAL introduction video (available below)
  3. Review the PAL guidance for practice educators: https://newsletters.nes.digital/the-ahp-practice-education-development-framework/peer-assisted-learning-pal-guidance-for-ahp-practice-educators/
  4. Complete the reflective sheet (available below)

 

Transcripts for the videos can be accessed by clicking on the document with the magnifying glass logo in the video control panel, and captions can be switched on by clicking on the cc button in the video control panel.

The aim of the learning is to provide participants with the knowledge and skills required for planning, delivering and evaluating a peer assisted learning (PAL) placement.

 

Interactive sessions on Microsoft Teams are available nationally to allow discussion and build on this learning.  Training dates can be accessed at: https://learn.nes.nhs.scot/77845 If you do not see available dates please contact ahp.practice.ed@nes.scot.nhs.uk for further information.

We ask that you complete the 4 pieces of learning highlighted above before attending an interactive session. This should take approximately 30 minutes.

Please note in a PAL placement there may be one practice educator as mentioned in this video, or more than one practice educator.

PAL reflective sheet

This document supports the suggested training.

6. Literature Search

These documents provide information on the evidence base for PAL.