INTRODUCTION: Clinical rotations introduce novel challenges to medical students. Albert Einstein College of Medicine's (AECOM) Ob-Gyn PALs (Peer Advisory Leaders), established in November 2023, and Icahn School of Medicine’s (ISMMS) PEEPs (Peers Endorsing Excellence for Peers), established in June 2024, were designed to provide students with structured mentorship from peers who recently underwent similar stressors. METHODS: This multi-institutional mixed-methods study evaluated post-clerkship survey data to ascertain medical students' reception of two peer mentoring programs. The AECOM and ISMMS students were surveyed from November 2023 to June 2025 and from July 2024 to December 2024, respectively. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and examined for themes. RESULTS: Both programs included mentorship, clinical skills sessions, and tutoring to varying degrees. Of 71 AECOM students, 95.8% reported utilizing PALs, 77.5% reported that PALs were “extremely helpful,” 97.2% reported PALs improved their clerkship experience, 94.4% reported PALs were easy to contact, and 83.1% of respondents thought PALs should be expanded to another clerkship. Of 98 ISMMS, 56.1% reported that PEEPs helped them navigate clerkship logistics, 53.1% reported PEEPs improved learning/studying, 46.9% reported PEEPs improved their confidence, and 66.3% reported PEEPs contacted them an appropriate number of times. At both institutions, comments were positive; themes included improved content comprehension, value of shared resources, ease of near-peer relationships, and suggestions for program improvement. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: Students highly regarded PALs and PEEPs. Near-peer mentorship is a powerful resource to boost student performance, wellness, and overall learning experience, with potential for expansion to other institutions and clerkships.
Nordlicht et al. (Thu,) studied this question.