Student’s perception of educational environment at institute of Public Health and Social Sciences, Khyber Medical University
Abstract
Background:
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“Educational environment plays a vital role in producing competent healthcare professionals since it influences how, why and what students learnâ€1. It is thus considered one of the most important factors which determines achievements of medical students. 1
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The aim of the study was to measure the student’s perception of educational environment at Institute of Public Health and Social Sciences, Khyber Medical University.
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Method:
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Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) Inventory is a 50-item inventory developed at Dundee for assessing learning environment specifically for medical and public health schools and other health professions2. All students currently enrolled in MPH program and MSc Epidemiology and Biostatistics, morning and evening sessions were included in the study.
Result:
The response rate was 93 %. The average DREEM score was 143.44+/-8.4 which shows more positive environment than negative. Variations were observed in responses to individual items while identifying specific strengths and weaknesses within the learning environment. Scoring on 9 items (3, 14, 27, 29, 4, 8, 35, 39 and 50) was found less than 2, out of which five items (4, 8, 35, 39, and 50) were negatively expressed items and their low score suggest movement in positive direction. While negatively expressed items (9, 17, 25 and 48) were scored more than 2 which shows movement in negative direction.
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CONCLUSION:
Students' perceptions of their educational environment at institute of public health and social sciences were reasonably positive amongst all batches, indicating adequate level of satisfaction in most areas of the existing curriculum.
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