Student's perceptions of educational environment across multiple undergraduate medical institutions in Pakistan using DREEM inventory

• Published in: Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association 2015-01, Vol.65 (1), p.24-28
• Main Authors: Imran, Nazish, Khalid, Faiza, Haider, Imran Ijaz, Jawaid, Masood, Irfan, Muhammad, Mahmood, Asmah, IjlalHaider, Muhammad, Sami-ud-din
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: College students; Cross-Sectional Studies; Education, Medical, Undergraduate - standards; Female; Humans; Male; Medical students; Pakistan; Perception; Students, Medical - psychology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Teachers; Teaching methods; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0030-9982

To objectively assess whether the medical education environment across Pakistan was at an acceptable standard and to determine factors influencing its perception. The cross-sectional study was conducted from August to November 2012 at six undergraduate medical institutions across Pakistan. The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) inventory having five subscales of perceptions of learning, teachers, atmosphere, academic self-perceptions and social self-perceptions was administered anonymously to all the consenting medical students. Data was analysed using SPSS 17. Of the 3045 questionnaires distributed, 2084(68.4%) were returned duly filled. Of all the respondents, 1311(63%) were females. Overall mean score found positive was 105.0±25.8 (Max: 200). Corresponding scores in the subscales were: student's perception of learning 25.1±7.2 (Max: 48); social self-perception 15.4±3.9 (Max: 28); academic self-perception l7.2±6.5 (Max: 32); perception of teachers being in need of some re-training 22.5±7.1 (Max: 44); and perception of atmosphere as having many issues needing a change 24.8±7.0 (Max: 48). Female students and pre-clinical year students perceived environment as more positive than male students (108.6±23.0 vs. 98.8±28.9 [p