Near-peer mentoring: a reflection on the benefits and challenges from both sides of the table. A discursive piece from a mentor and four learners

This article was migrated. The article was not marked as recommended. Medical students are more and more involved in informal near-peer mentoring schemes. At Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry (PUPSMD), a programme has been set up to encourage fifth-year medical students to mentor fourth-year students towards their final-year exams. This reflective piece analyses the experiences of one group of learners and their mentor during their near-peer mentoring journey. Group size, mentor personality, diversity of learners, content and style of sessions, frequency of sessions and evaluation processes all play an important role in the benefits and challenges reported by this group. There is not a one size fits all for near-peer mentoring but we hope that these reflections provide some transferrable insights into the challenges and benefits from all involved.