Korean J Med Educ.  2016 Sep;28(3):281-288. 10.3946/kjme.2016.32.

Students’ perception of the educational environment in medical college: a study based on DREEM questionnaire

• Patil AA
• Chaudhari

• KMID: 2417511
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3946/kjme.2016.32

Abstract

PURPOSE
The educational environment (EE) plays a very important role in effective student learning. The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) is a validated tool to assess the EE. This study aimed to collect baseline information about our medical student's perception of the EE, and to identify areas of strengths and weaknesses as well as scope for improvements in the current EE.
METHODS
Medical students and interns were included in this cross-sectional study. The DREEM questionnaire was used to measure students' perceptions about the EE, which has five domains: students' perceptions of learning; students' perceptions of teachers; students' academic self-perceptions; students' perceptions of atmosphere; and students' social self-perceptions. Students were asked to respond using a 5-point Likert-type scale. Data was analyzed using suitable tests and statistical significance was set at p<0.05.
RESULTS
The mean global DREEM score was 123/200. All students had more positive than negative academic self-perception (21.24/32), perception of atmosphere (29.21/48), and perception of learning (28.99/48), while their social self-perception (17.48/28) was not too bad and perception of teachers (26.71/44) moved in the right direction. The fifth semester students perceived EE more positively than other semester students.
CONCLUSION
The present study revealed that all students perceived their EE positively. The positive points were that teachers were knowledgeable, that students had good friends, and they were confident about passing their exams. Problem areas observed were authoritarian teachers, overemphasis on factual learning, overly teacher-centered teaching, teachers getting angry, and the need for a support system for stressed students.

Keyword

Teachers; Learning; Atmosphere; Academic; Social self-perception

MeSH Terms

Adult
*Attitude
Cross-Sectional Studies
*Education, Medical, Undergraduate
Environment
Faculty, Medical
Female
Humans
Internship and Residency
*Learning
Male
Perception
*Schools, Medical
Self Concept
*Social Environment
*Students, Medical
Surveys and Questionnaires
*Teaching
Universities
Young Adult