Peer Teaching in Medical Education Assessing Effectiveness and Theoretical Frameworks

Peer teaching has emerged as a dynamic pedagogical strategy in medical education, fostering active participation and collaborative learning. Widely adopted across UK medical schools, this approach empowers learners to assume teaching responsibilities during their training—an innovative shift that bridges theoretical knowledge and practical instruction. Research underscores that peer teaching’s success is grounded in cognitive and social congruence theories, which enhance rapport between student-teachers and learners. This congruence cultivates a supportive environment where learners engage more openly, readily posing questions, sharing perspectives, and solidifying their understanding through dialogue. Such outcomes highlight peer teaching’s potential to reshape traditional medical education paradigms by prioritizing learner-centered collaboration.