Five ways to get a grip by incorporating trust into the design and implementation of peer coaching programs

Authors

  • Adriane E Bell Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6455-0835
  • Holly S Meyer Uniformed Services University of the Health Science
  • Lauren A Maggio University of Illinois College of Medicine
  • Lakesha N Anderson Uniformed Services University of the Health Science

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36834/cmej.79872

Abstract

Peer coaching is a form of faculty development in which faculty improve their teaching skills through collaborative work or peer observation of teaching. As a tool grounded in experiential learning, peer coaching promotes targeted feedback, reflection on action, and collegial exchange to improve teacher self-efficacy and trainee learning outcomes. Nevertheless, faculty developers face challenges in creating sustainable, effective peer coaching programs as faculty fear scrutiny of their teaching practices. Additionally, to promote collegial exchange, faculty (the person observed and peer coach) must trust one another and accept vulnerability. Without attending to trust, faculty developers may find themselves on black ice, designing and implementing ineffective peer coaching programs. In this Black Ice article, we underscore the role of trust in peer coaching and present five ways to help faculty developers get a grip by incorporating trust into the design and implementation of peer coaching programs, optimizing its efficacy.

Author Biographies

  • Adriane E Bell, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

    Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and PhD Candidate, Department of Health Professions Education, 

    Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD

  • Holly S Meyer, Uniformed Services University of the Health Science

    Dr. Holly Meyer is an Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Student Affairs in the Department of Health Professions Education at the Uniformed Services University(USU). She has a PhD in Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching from the University of Texas, San Antonio, emphasizing curriculum and instruction. Dr. Meyer has a strong background in leadership development, K-12 education, and program evaluation. Dr. Meyer’s research interests include leadership, curriculum development, instructional methods, assessment design, program evaluation, and educational theory.

  • Lauren A Maggio, University of Illinois College of Medicine

    Lauren Maggio, PhD

    Visiting Professor and Director of Research

    Department of Medical Education

    University of Illinois College of Medicine

     

    Deputy Editor-in-Chief

    Perspectives on Medical Education

  • Lakesha N Anderson, Uniformed Services University of the Health Science

    Dr. LaKesha N. Anderson is Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Department of Health Professions Education (CHPE) at the Uniformed Services University (USU). Her research explores the intersections of communication and medicine with specific interests in women's health, family medicine, and rural health. She also explores physician education, medical knowledge acquisition, learner communities, and professional development. Dr. Anderson serves on the Editorial Boards of both Family Medicine and the Journal of Communication Pedagogy and reviews for a number of public health, medicine, communication, and education journals. Prior to joining CHPE-USU, she served as Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Medical College of Georgia and Educational Researcher in MCG’s Educational Innovation Institute. Other previous roles include Director of Academic and Professional Affairs at the National Communication Association and Assistant Professor of Communication at Indiana State University.

    Dr. Anderson earned her PhD in Communication, with a specialization in Health and Strategic Communication, from George Mason University.

References

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Published

2025-07-03

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 5 (2025)

Section

Black Ice

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Adriane E Bell, Holly S Meyer, Lauren A Maggio, Lakesha N Anderson

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How to Cite

1.
Five ways to get a grip by incorporating trust into the design and implementation of peer coaching programs. Can. Med. Ed. J [Internet]. 2025 Jul. 3 [cited 2025 Dec. 14];16(5):77-80. Available from: https://dev.journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/cmej/article/view/79872