Perceptions of students of the learning environment studying an integrated medical curriculum

ABSTRACT

To assess the learning environment perceived by medical students of a college employing modular, organ-based integrated curriculum. A cross-sectional descriptive study. The study was conducted in July 2012 among students of first year M.B.,B.S of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical College, Lyari, Karachi. Among students of first year M.B., B.S. the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure [DREEM] Questionnaire, which has worldwide face validity, was used to assess the learning environment as perceived by students. The English version of the DREEM inventory was administered to all the students. The participation was voluntary and the questionnaire was anonymous. The return of the completed questionnaire was taken as their implied consent. The overall DREEM score was 121.07 [out of 200]. The students' perception of educational environment was found to be more positive. They also considered the overall atmosphere of college comfortable and reported better-than-average social lives. Nevertheless, the study also revealed that there was a lot of room for improvement in a newly established medical college. The study showed that the students perceived a positive learning environment at the college. Although the students were experiencing a considerable amount of stress, their social life on the campus was quite satisfactory