Peer review practicalities in clinical medicine

Abstract

Matthew J Metcalfe1, MAL Farrant2, JM Farrant31Department of Vascular Surgery, Imperial College NHS Trust, St Mary’s Hospital, London, UK; 2Department of Anaesthesia, Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Poole Hospital, Dorset, UK; 3Department of Radiology, Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust, Royal Free Hospital, London, UKAbstract: Peer review processes in teaching requires a reviewer to observe a teacher’s practice in a planned manner. Conversation between the two enables the teacher to reflect on their own teaching, promoting self-improvement. Although a central part of the teaching process, and despite its crucial role in continuing professional development, peer review is not widely practiced in hospital settings. This article explains the process and its benefits. Practical implementations of the process in busy clinical settings are suggested. Its evaluation and incorporation into undergraduate learning and postgraduate clinical practice are described. With enthusiastic support for colleagues and allowances for its implementation, it should become part of the regular teaching practice, improving the quality of teaching delivered.Keywords: teaching, education, clinical practice, peer review