Does peer tutoring facilitate medical student learner self-efficacy?

Near-peer (MS II) tutoring is one way to address academic deficits while adding a coaching and mentoring experience for first year medical students (MSI). Self-efficacy is defined as belief in one’s ability to perform well on a certain task. Low self-efficacy may lead to avoidance, reducing the possibility of skill improvement, high self-efficacy can focus effort and create persistence leading to task success. Methods: MS II near-peer tutor training included a module on learning psychology and guidance on building self-efficacy in MSI tutees.We used a retrospective pre-post survey to measure change in self-efficacy belief. For each block of fall semester students rated their confidence in understanding the block material prior to tutoring sessions and after tutoring sessions, and rated their overall comfort level with medical school. We also compared student self-efficacy scores with block grades. Results: For the first two blocks of fall semester a significant positive change between students’ pre and post tutoring efficacy for learning block material was noted, these changes also predicted a positive change in exam scores. Conclusion: First year medical students who regularly attend weekly near-peer tutoring sessions show an increased strength in self-efficacy for studying in medical school, which positively impacts achievement outcomes.