Students’ perception of peer learning: A study in a private Malaysian medical school

Background: Peer-assisted learning (PAL) provides students with a useful ancillary educational method with a safe and controlled environment that motivates and prepares them with lifelong learning skills. The objective of this study was to investigate students’ perception and awareness of peer learning among MBBS students in the International Medical School, Management and Science University, Shah Alam, Malaysia, and also to identify students’ perception of the benefits of peer learning as a tool to improve and enhance academic performance. Method: The research used a convenience sampling technique where an online questionnaire was distributed to 420 medical students. Results: Results showed MBBS students were aware of peer learning and the majority were willing and eager to participate in group discussions. However, there was a statistically significant difference among students from different program years. Students in year 4 indicated the greatest interest (90.5%), followed by students in year 5 (83.2%), year 3 (69.7%), year 2 (66.2%), and year 1 (44.4%). Conclusion: Medical students perceived PAL as an essential and highly effective tool that can enhance their performance, especially those in the clinical years of study. However, more efforts are needed to enhance PAL and investigate the influence of tutors and PAL on students’ academic performance.