Allied health professions (AHP) learning site

Peer assisted learning (PAL) is an evidence-based model of PrBL delivery.

This resources developed are designed to raise awareness of this model and  support your ability to plan, deliver and evaluate a PAL placement.

Click on the animation to find out more: AHP PAL Animation on Vimeo

The following resources are available: 

• Education Package
• PAL in action
• planning a PAL PrBL placement
• supervision and PAL
• nonclinical tasks and PAL
• PAL stories
• evaluation resources
• literature search

The learning is designed to take place as a package and should have a local board facilitator.  If you are interested in finding out more or registering for the AHP PAL Education Package please contact your local AHP Practice Education Lead (PEL).

Learning Details

The learning is split into 3 sections:  

1. An introductory session (recorded session) 
2. A main session (recorded session and handbook) 
3. An online interactive workshop (arranged within local board areas) 

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.  

By participating in the PAL education package, you will be able to:  

1. Discuss in relation to students, practice educators and service the benefits of a PAL placement   
2. Apply the principles of adult learning theory to facilitate learning  
3. Demonstrate an awareness of the behaviours required to be an effective facilitator  
4. Discuss ways of managing challenging personalities  
5. Apply effective feedback skills in the context of PAL  
6. Identify ways to prepare for a PAL placement  

Sessions

The introductory session provides a brief overview of peer assisted learning, including videos and testimonies from AHPs in Scotland who have experienced PAL as a student, practice educator or manager:

The main session and associated reading provide the educational component:  

Finally, there is a locally facilitated interactive workshop, via MS teams, in which you can build on the knowledge gained in the main presentation through learning and discussion with other interested AHPs.

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?

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

This ‘How to ‘ session helps answer some questions about setting up PAL placements.  AHP PrBL 'How to' workshops | Turas | Learn (nhs.scot)

The guidance packs for students and practice educators that follow will be reviewed and updated in 2024/25.

This video shows two students having a supervision session