ABSTRACT
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-perception17.2 +/- 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<0.001]] and students belonging to clinical years [108.0 +/- 24.0 vs. 03.3 +/- 26.5 [p<0.001]]. Highest score was found in the domain of student's social self-perceptions and lowest in the domain of student's perception of teachers. Results can be used as a basis for planning and executing remedial measures needed to improve undergraduate medical education environment in Pakistan