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Goals:
- To increase communication among students participating in clinical experiences
- To facilitate enhanced learning outcomes
- To increase networking opportunities
- To overcome barriers to success in clinical education
- To improve quality of participation in clinical experience
- To formalize the peer evaluation process for monthly check-offs
Objectives:
Expectations - Each student will bring their own expectations into the peer partner relationship. Establish a time frame to determine whether the peer partnership is working and to help minimize misunderstandings. If after a period of time you don't believe that you or your peer are able to participate in an effective relationship, discuss this and bring it forward to the Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education.
Encourage each other to join organizations (NIATSA, IATA, NATA…) and attend meetings together. Take initiative in the partnership by inviting your peer to talk and suggesting topics of discussion.
Respect - Respect your peer's time as much as your own. Specify times you wish not to be disturbed or ones that are good for communication. Communicating through email/IM alleviates time to get together. Enact a 24 hour rule: you'll get back to each other within 24 hours.
Show appreciation for your peer. Learn to respect and trust each others commitment, expertise and individuality. Make only positive or neutral comments about your peer to others. You both must trust that any thing said will be held in the strictest of confidence. Keep an open door and mind policy towards each other.
Communication - Ask for advice from your peer. Sometimes it is had to do when you don't know someone very well so, be specific when asking. For example, instead of asking "what goes on at GLATA?" ask "What do people wear when attending GLATA?" Also, encourage your peer to seek advice from others.
It is sometimes part of the peers' responsibility to offer critical but constructive feedback. It is a good lesson for both peers to learn how to give and receive constructive criticism in order to become successful professionals. When criticism is offered, it should be followed by constructive advice for improvement. If possible, specific examples should be offered. Try to avoid communicating in a way that might intimidate your peer. There may be instances when your peer needs time to think about your comments for a few days and then come back to discuss them. Be an active listener. What is said at the moment may not seem relevant at the time but may become critical in the future. Don't propagate unrealistic expectations: It is important not to confuse positive communication with a need for unwarranted praise or flattery.
Rules of the Peer Partnership Program:
1. Keep regular contact with each other
2. Keep confidences between the two of you
3. Follow through on commitments
4. Be caring while giving honest feedback
