Determining the quality of educational climate across multiple undergraduate teaching sites using the DREEM inventory

Abstract

Background: Our obstetrics and gynaecology undergraduate teaching module allocates 40-50 final year medical students to eight teaching hospital sites in the West Midlands region. Based on student feedback and concerns relating to the impact of new curriculum changes, we wished to objectively assess whether the educational environment perceived by students varied at different teaching hospital centres, and whether the environment was at an acceptable standard. Methods: A Dundee Ready Education Environment (DREEM) Questionnaire, a measure of educational environment, was administered to 206 students immediately following completion of the teaching module. Results: The overall mean DREEM score was 139/200 (70%). There were no differences in the education climate between the teaching centres. Conclusion: Further research on the use of DREEM inventory, with follow up surveys, may be useful for educators to ensure and maintain high quality educational environments despite students being placed at different teaching centres. © 2005 Varma et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.