Students as Facilitators: Experiences of Reciprocal Peer Tutoring in Simulation-Based Learning

Reciprocal peer tutoring is a form of peer-assisted learning involving structured switching of tutor?tutee roles amongst students of the same academic year. The study aimed to explore students? experiences of being a facilitator in simulation-based learning. The pilot study had a hermeneutic explorative qualitative design. Data were collected through two sets of semi-structured focus-group interviews with four final-year nursing students. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Three themes were important for facilitating peer students: (a) being familiar with simulation as a learning method, (b) prior theoretical knowledge, and (c) the learning environment. Tutors expressed a genuine interest in preconditions for learning. Hence, they facilitated the simulation for peers to achieve mastery experience. The experience as tutors was found valuable for their clinical practise. Student-led simulation as an active learning strategy promotes deeper learning and transfers communication competence into clinical experiences.