scholarly journals The Medical Education Environment at the University of Nairobi, Kenya: An Assessment with the DREEM Tool

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-102
Author(s):  
Daniel Ojuka ◽  
Faith Aseta ◽  
Beth Githambo ◽  
Brian Wambua

Background: The supportive learning environment can enhance impartating of knowledge and skills. Objective: To assess the learning environment at the School of Medicine of the University of Nairobi using the Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure(DREEM) tool. Methods: A cross-sectional survey carried in 2019 out among medical students during their clinical years to obtain their perceptions about the learning environment at the School of Medicine of the University of Nairobi. The DREEM tool was used for the survey. Data were entered and analyzed in SPSS version19. Comparisons were performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). p≤0.05 was consideredstatistically significant. Results: We obtained 619 responses (77.4%) from 800 tools distributed. The total mean score of DREEM was 93.3/200. This is a 46.7%score overall indicating a poor perception of the learning environment. Year IV was the class with the poorest perception with a p<0.05. Conclusion: The DREEM score shows numerous problems, with perception of learning and social support being the areas requiring themost improvement. Although teachers are knowledgeable, students are wary of their ability to transfer knowledge and skills. Keywords: Learning environment, DREEM, Medical students

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 643-647
Author(s):  
Shumaila Irum ◽  
Muhammad Zafar Iqbal ◽  
Fatima Naumeri

The primary success of educational environment heavily depends upon benefits to learners and this further facilitates the learning processing. The most commonly used tool, to measure it, is Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure (DREEM). Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the perceptions of medical students in pre-clinical years about educational environment in a public sector medical college of Pakistan and to compare the DREEM scores with previous published scores. Material and Methods: The DREEM questionnaire was conducted on undergraduate medical students (n=300) of Sheikh Zayed Medical College, Rahim Yar Khan, during the month of June 2015. Results: Two eighty-six (n=286) of the 300 students (95.33%) completed the questionnaire. Analysisof these subjected indicated a total mean score of 113.68. Mean for students’ perception of learning was 26.65±10.235, mean for students’ perceptions of teachers was 26.63±10.177. On the other hands, the mean scores for students’ academic self-perception, students’ perception of the atmosphere, and students’ social self-perception were 17.17±6.73, 26.89±10.89, and 16.34±6.70, respectively. Conclusion: Although DREEM scores showed improvement from previously published scores of same medical college, it also highlighted the areas needing further improvement.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-108
Author(s):  
Daniel Ojuka ◽  
Faith Aseta ◽  
Beth Githambo ◽  
Brian Wambua

Background: The educational environment (EE) has a significant influence on effective student learning. The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) is a validated tool to assess the EE. A DREEM survey done in early 2019 among medical students at the University of Nairobi highlighted many problems. It was therefore important to explore why such perceptions existed among the medical students. Objectives: To explore medical students’ perceptions ofthe medical education learning environment at the University of Nairobi. Methods: Qualitative focus group discussions (FGD) were held among medical students in years III to VI in groups of between 8and 12students. The discussions were recorded using a Samsung J6 phone voice recorder, transcribed, coded, and analysed for themes until saturation was reached. Results: We held six FGD with medical students in years III to VI and identified four thematic areas: 1) poor educational infrastructure, 2) poor educational structure, 3) teacher-centred teaching, and 4) lack of social support for students in difficulties. Conclusion: Exploring the perceptions of the EE confirmed students have a poor view of the educational environment. The issues raised are good feedback on teaching, governance and the social culture of the institution. Keywords: Learning environment, DREEM, Medical students, Qualitative methods 


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1639
Author(s):  
Sanja Zuzic Furlan ◽  
Doris Rusic ◽  
Marko Kumric ◽  
Josko Bozic ◽  
Marino Vilovic ◽  
...  

The prevalence and incidence of gout doubled from 1990 to 2017. Therefore, we can expect that a number of doctors have come across a patient with gout in their daily practice. Hence, we wanted to investigate how familiar our medical students, as future medical professionals, are with gout. This cross-sectional survey included Medical Studies students from the two largest universities in Croatia: the University of Split School of Medicine, and the University of Zagreb School of Medicine, and included a total of 221 fifth or sixth year medical students. Most students gave correct answers to questions about treatment approach and non-pharmacological interventions in asymptomatic hyperuricemia (>80%). Less than 3% of all students agreed they knew enough about care for patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia, whereas almost 15% thought they were well familiar with care for gout patients. Less than 8% of students considered their school education adequate on both topics, and less than 2% were aware of the existence of EULAR guidelines. Physicians lacking in the latest knowledge on the pathophysiology of gout, the influence of lifestyle, and genetic factors limits their ability to properly manage gout. With increasing prevalence, gout should be more represented in medical students’ education.


Author(s):  
Shreekrishna Maharjan ◽  
Tripti Shakya

Background: Learning environment is how students perceive the climate of an institution. The strength and weakness of learning environment should be identified to help change, adjust and manage training programs with objectives for improving learning quality. Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) is a validated tool designed to measure educational environment specifically for medical schools and other health profession institutions. This tool has been used in 20 countries, including Nepal. The aim of this study was to determine the perception of medical students of Foundation Course toward their learning environment using this tool.Methods: The study was conducted among the medical students attending Foundation Course in School of Medicine at Patan Academy of Health Sciences in Nepal using the DREEM tool.Results: Total mean of DREEM score was 150.51 and that of subscales for Students' Perception of Learning (SPL), Students' Perception of Teachers (SPT), Students' Academic Self-Perception (SASP), Students' Perception of Atmosphere (SPOA) and Students' Social Self-Perception (SSSP) were 36.96/48, 34.01/44, 23.96/32, 36.03/48 and 19.55/28 respectively. In item scores, students scored more than 3 for 29 items, between 2 and 3 for 20 items and only 1 item received less than 2 score indicating an issue requiring attention on overemphasis of factual learning during the course.Conclusions: Students have a positive perception about their educational environment. Their perception is a valuable resource for institutional curriculum planners to make appropriate changes to enhance student learning. It is important to get feedbacks from students on how they are experiencing their learning environment.


2020 ◽  
pp. 019459982095115
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Steehler ◽  
Brian Pettitt-Schieber ◽  
Matthew B. Studer ◽  
Geetha Mahendran ◽  
Barbara J. Pettitt ◽  
...  

Objective To develop and evaluate a virtual otolaryngology medical student elective created during the COVID-19 crisis with the intention of teaching the basic tenets of otolaryngology and increasing exposure to the specialty. Study Design Cross-sectional survey. Setting Emory University School of Medicine. Methods A 1-week virtual otolaryngology curriculum was offered to third- and fourth-year medical students that centered on the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation’s handbook Primary Care in Otolaryngology (fourth edition). The course covered a variety of topics and was conducted remotely via online video conferencing software. We applied multiple teaching modalities and surveyed students regarding the effectiveness of the course. Mixed methods analysis was employed to analyze the course data. Results Twelve students participated; 67% reported their baseline precourse understanding of otolaryngology in the “poor-fair” range. After the course, 92% of students reported increased understanding, with 42% and 58% reporting “good” and “very good” understanding, respectively. Following completion of the course, posttest scores on summative assessments were significantly higher than pretest scores ( P < .001). Ninety-two percent of students reported either “increased” or “greatly increased” interest in otolaryngology postcourse. Qualitative survey results revealed students’ appreciation of course organization, formative assessments, and case-based learning. Conclusions An otolaryngology elective administered through a virtual format can be effective at providing an educational experience and garnering interest in the field. Positive exposure to otolaryngology can increase medical students’ interest in pursuing the specialty and expand their general knowledge of consultation, diagnosis, and management in otolaryngology.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hani Atwa ◽  
Rania Alkhadragy ◽  
Adel Abdelaziz

Background: The environment where education takes place is essential for students’ engagement and motivation. This study aimed at assessing students’ perception of their educational environment at a private medical college and the influence of gender, among other factors, on it. Objectives: The study assessed the students’ perception of their learning environment, determined the gender effect on environment perception, and examined the correlation between different study variables. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study on 340 undergraduate medical students at a private college with gender-segregated programs. The Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure (DREEM) was used to determine the students' perception of their learning environment. This was correlated with a set of variables, including gender and educational achievement as indicated by students' GPA. Results: The overall DREEM score was ‘more positive than negative’ (114.39/200). The scores of subscales were towards the positive side. This was evident in the perception of learning (26.64/48), perception of teaching (26.36/44), perception of the atmosphere (26.51/48), academic self-perception (19.54/32), and social self-perception (15.33/28). Conclusions: There were statistically significant differences between the perceptions of males and females in both the overall DREEM scale (females: 117.59/200 and males: 111.18/200) and three of the subscales. Female students perceived their learning environment more positively. Moreover, satisfaction with the learning environment was correlated with scholastic achievement. In addition, the more positively perceived learning environment could explain higher scholastic achievement in female students than in male students.


2022 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 111-116
Author(s):  
Atul R Rukadikar ◽  
Charushila Rukadikar ◽  
Nitesh Jaiswal

In an undergraduate (UG) medical education program, the educational environment is a critical factor of effective outcomes. Because it is a proven approach for this assessment in medical schools, the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) was employed in this study.1. To assess the student’s perception of the educational environment using the Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure (DREEM) questionnaire among 1st-year undergraduate medical students. 2. To identify the strengths and weaknesses in student’s educational environment.A cross-sectional study was carried out among first-year medical students. To obtain student perceptions of the educational environment, a widely accepted DREEM questionnaire was employed. The DREEM questionnaire is divided into five sections, each of which has 50 statements that are rated on a five-point Likert scale (0–4). The questionnaire was distributed to consented individuals (n=150) after receiving ethical approval. The filled questions were collected and statistically evaluated. The data were presented as mean and standard deviation, frequency, and percentages. The responses were analyzed and interpreted using McAleer and Roff's practical recommendations.There was a 100% response rate. The average DREEM score was 124.9 ± 50 (62.46%). Among the five DREEM dimensions, students' perceptions of learning received the highest score (65.63%), while students' perceptions of the environment received the lowest (59.31 %).Statements “I have good friends in this college”, “My social life is good” and “I am confident about passing this year” scored ≥ 3 of 4 points.“A more positive than negative perception,” according to the total mean DREEM score. Student confidence, social life, instructor knowledge, encouragement to participate in a teaching session, teacher preparedness, and having excellent friends on campus received the most positive answers. However, there is space for development in areas where there is a lack of expertise, such as student ennui and creative teaching.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e035255
Author(s):  
Igor Portoghese ◽  
Fabio Porru ◽  
Maura Galletta ◽  
Marcello Campagna ◽  
Alex Burdorf

ObjectivesThe main purpose of the current study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the University Stress Scale (USS) among Italian medical students.Design, setting and participantsA cross-sectional observational study based on data from an online cross-sectional survey from 11 to 23 December 2018. A total of 1858 Italian medical students participated in the study.Outcome measuresWe measured perceived stress among medical students using the USS, the Effort-Reward Imbalance Student Questionnaire (ERI-SQ) and the Kessler-10 (K10).ResultsResults showed that a bifactor-Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling solution provided excellent levels of fit to the data. Our results suggest that the modified version of 19 items of the Italian version of the USS does not have a simple unidimensional structure. Overall, an inspection of ancillary indices (omega indices, ECV and percentage of uncontaminated correlations) revealed that these were too low to suggest the use of the USS as a composite measure of university stress. We tested an alternative unidimensional short form (eight items; USS-S) that assessed all the five sources of stress. This version provided a good fit to the data. Evidence of convergent validity of the USS-S was observed by analysing the correlations between the USS and ERI-SQ (ranging from −0.34 to 0.37, all p<0.01). Finally, based on the clinical cut-off recommended on the K10, results from receiver operating characteristic showed that considering the clinical cut-off of the USS is 7.5 and that 59.70% of medical students reported stress levels in the clinical range.ConclusionFinally, our results showed a lack of support for using the USS to measure a general university stress factor, as the general USS factor accounted for little variance in our sample. In this sense, stress scores among Italian students can be better assessed by the use of the USS-S.


Author(s):  
Serge B. R. Mordang ◽  
Andrea N. Leep Hunderfund ◽  
Frank W. J. M. Smeenk ◽  
Laurents P. S. Stassen ◽  
Karen D. Könings

Abstract Background Training residents in delivering high-value, cost-conscious care (HVCCC) is crucial for a sustainable healthcare. A supportive learning environment is key. Yet, stakeholders’ attitudes toward HVCCC in residents’ learning environment are unknown. Objective We aimed to measure stakeholders’ HVCCC attitudes in residents’ learning environment, compare these with resident perceptions of their attitudes, and identify factors associated with attitudinal differences among each stakeholder group. Design We conducted a cross-sectional survey across the Netherlands between June 2017 and December 2018. Participants Participants were 312 residents, 305 faculty members, 53 administrators, and 1049 patients from 66 (non)academic hospitals. Main Measures Respondents completed the Maastricht HVCCC Attitude Questionnaire (MHAQ), containing three subscales: (1) high-value care, (2) cost incorporation, (3) perceived drawbacks. Additionally, resident respondents estimated the HVCCC attitudes of other stakeholders, and answered questions on job demands and resources. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to analyze data. Key Results Attitudes differed on all subscales: faculty and administrators reported more positive HVCCC attitudes than residents (p ≤ 0.05), while the attitudes of patients were less positive (p ≤ 0.05). Residents underestimated faculty’s (p < 0.001) and overestimated patients’ HVCCC attitudes (p < 0.001). Increasing age was, among residents and faculty, associated with more positive attitudes toward HVCCC (p ≤ 0.05). Lower perceived health quality was associated with less positive attitudes among patients (p < 0.001). The more autonomy residents perceived, the more positive their HVCCC attitude (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions Attitudes toward HVCCC vary among stakeholders in the residency learning environment, and residents misjudge the attitudes of both faculty and patients. Faculty and administrators might improve their support to residents by more explicitly sharing their thoughts and knowledge on HVCCC and granting residents autonomy in clinical practice.


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