Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) leaders today: are they leaders in health professional education tomorrow?

The conference presentation is about the MBBS, PASS (Peer Assisted Study Sessions) leaders of JCSMHS, MUM. PASS is an academic mentoring/teaching program delivered by senior MBBS students to new/junior students (Year 1, JCSMHS) who are in the stage of transition from high school to university. By engaging in the PASS program as leaders, they can develop peer teaching, leadership, interpersonal and critical thinking skills, teamwork and also develop Graduate Attribute Profile. The experience of working as a PASS leader helps them gain confidence in managing and achieving critical goals with teamwork and for lifelong education. Based on our observations and past experiences with PASS leaders, the research questions of the study are as follows. 1. What are the skills required for successful completion of a medical course and future career? 2. Does the experience of being PASS leaders assist in developing skills required of a successful medical student/health professional/doctor? This project is funded through Education Excellence Grant (MUM). This study involved the Year 2 & 3 MBBS PASS leaders who are running the program for Year 1 students from JCSMHS, Monash University Malaysia. From this cohort it is aimed to gather their perceptions of attributes required for successful completion of medical course. And, whether the experience of being a leader helped them develop those skills. The findings of the study informed us about the quality of the PASS program and any further needs/ gaps that can be identified to further enhance the attributes of the program. The findings of this study revealed that the experience of being PASS leader helped the medical students in developing effective teaching, communication, leadership and critical thinking skills for lifelong education of health profession