The use of peer support to improve learning, social and well-being outcomes for postgraduate public health and health management students

Student peer support is linked with student engagement, retention, and learning outcomes. However, there is limited evidence on the extent to which peer support improves learning and well-being outcomes among those pursuing public health and health management degrees. This study aims to explore students’ experience and perception of a peer support intervention and better understand how these experiences of peer support impacted their learning and well-being outcomes. All students enrolled in Autumn 2021 session of Social Determinants of Health subject at Western Sydney University were allocated to peer support groups. Four focus groups were conducted in English, Hindi, and Nepali languages with a total of 22 students to gain an in-depth insight into students’ experiences of being in a peer support group. Focus groups were conducted via Zoom for approximately two hours, audio-recorded, translated to English, transcribed verbatim, and subsequently analysed using thematic analysis. Five major themes emerged: (1) university acculturation; (2) peer learning and academic help; (3) assignment specific support; (4) facilitators and barriers to engagement; (5) psychological and social support. This study found that peer support is a useful strategy to help students transition into university, and benefit from additional academic, learning and assignment specific support. While most students were motivated to engage in peer support, barriers such as online mode of study or other commitments were also identified. Nonetheless, peer support was key to providing psychological and social support amidst the COVID pandemic.