Twelve tips for developing a near-peer shadowing program to prepare students for clinical training

Abstract

Background: One effective way to help prepare medical students for clinical training is the implementation of a near-peer shadowing program, in which pre-clinical trainees shadow clinical trainees.

Aims: This article describes techniques for ensuring the effectiveness of a near-peer shadowing program in the hope of improving the preparedness of students for clinical training.

Method: A list of 12 tips were developed by combining a review of the literature with a reflection upon the authors’ own experiences with developing a near-peer shadowing program, in which first-year medical students shadowed first-year residents.

Results: Both successes and failures were identified, both in the literature and in the author's own experiences. These can be used to inform the development of future programs.

Conclusions: A near-peer shadowing program has the strong potential to play a key role in preparing students to enter clinical training. These 12 tips, drawn from the literature and our own experience, will maximize the benefits for both student and tutor learning and minimize the potential pitfalls encountered by other programs.