Students' perceptions of the educational environment in an Iranian Medical School, as measured by the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure

Abstract

Learning environment is found to be important in determining students' academic success and learning. The goal of this study was to investigate the viewpoints of medical students toward learning environment based on The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) at Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences (RUMS). This descriptive study was conducted using the Persian DREEM questionnaire. All medical students in basic and clinical courses except internship students (fifth and sixth year) were approached to participate during the study period, of which 223 provided consent and completed the survey. Data were analyzed by SPSS-17, t-test and ANOVA statistical tests were used. The mean total score was 113.8±17.31 (out of a maximum of 200, 56.9%) indicating relative satisfaction with the perceived environment. There were no individual areas of excellence. Some items scored consistently badly indicating cause for concern. The highest score were related to Academic Self-Perception (64.11%) and learning (57.2%) domains. The lowest score were related to Teachers (55.9%), Social Self-Perceptions (56.6%) and atmosphere (55.8%) domains. Basic science students perceived the environment to be significantly more positive than preclinical students (p<0.05). Native and married students perceived the environment to be significantly more positive (p<0.05). Second and fourth year students were significantly higher than the others (P<0.01). There was significant difference between mean scores of total mean DREEM and sub-domains by year of enrolment (p=0.001). This tool identified areas of concern within RUMS medical school. Further use of the DREEM as a monitoring tool would be useful to re-evaluate the environment following appropriate intervention. To create an appropriate educational environment and reduce the deficits in order to provide a better learning environment with facilitate and supportive system for students.