Distant peer-tutoring of clinical skills, using tablets with instructional videos and Skype: A pilot study in the UK and Malaysia

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the feasibility and impact of using low-cost Android tablets to deliver video tutorials and remote online peer-tutoring for clinical skills between two countries.

Methods: Nine junior medical students from Malaysia were paired with five senior medical students from the UK, who played the role of peer-tutors. Students from Malaysia were given a low-cost Android tablet from which they could access instructional video tutorials. At the end of each week, the peer-tutors would observe their peer-learners as they performed a clinical examination. Tutors would then provide individual feedback using a videoconferencing tool. Outcomes were assessed using Observed Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) scores, post-study questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with participants.

Results: Peer-learners reported an increased confidence in clinical examination of 8.4 (±1.0) on a 10-point scale and all nine said they would recommend the scheme to their peers. Both peer-tutors and peer-learners were able to establish a strong rapport over video, rating it as 8.4 (±0.6) and 8.4 (±0.9), respectively. Peer-learners’ rated the sound and video quality of the tablet as 7.0 (±1.1) but were less satisfied with the screen resolution of the tablet, rating this as 4.0 (±1.5).

Conclusion: This preliminary pilot study presents an innovative, low cost approach to international medical education with significant potential for future development.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the fourth year MBBS students from Newcastle University for volunteering as tutors for the project. We would also like to thank the 10 second year MBBS students from NUMED who participated in this project as peer-learners. We wish to thank Dr. Lewis Potter who allowed us to use the “Geeky Medics” tutorial videos and the actors in the videos. We finally wish to thank Professor Roger Barton and Dr. Philip Bradley for supervising the project.

Declaration of interest: James O’Donovan is a Director of ConnecTab, the not-for-profit organisation that supplied the tablet used in the programme. This research was funded by a general grant from Newcastle University and received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sector.