Measuring and Comparing Educational Environment of Two Education Systems [Integrated and Traditional Medical Curriculum] Running Simultaneously at Islamic International Medical College with [DREEM] Inventory

ABSTRACT

Measuring and comparing educational environment of two education systems [integrated and traditional medical curriculum], running simultaneously at Islamic International Medical College with [DREEM] Inventory It was a quantitative descriptive study, a survey was conducted using DREEM inventory. The study was carried out at Islamic International Medical College from September 2011 to January 2012. Total 137 out of 180 students filled the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure [DREEM] Inventory [Roff et al., 1997] respectively. In traditional system, i.e. final year MBBS, the number of students who filled the inventory was n=63; out of which 46 were females and 17 were males. In integrated system MBBS i.e. 4th year, the number of students who filled the inventory were n=74 out of which 49 were females and 25 were males. Response rate was 76%. Mean age of the final year and 4th year students was 23 and 22 years respectively. On analysis of DREEM Inventory the overall score of integrated system was 130 and traditional system scored 114, fall in more positive than negative environment, but integrated system score was more towards excellent i.e.150-200, subscale of inventory revealed the following mean score results: Perception of learning, 4th year scored 37-a more positive perception while traditional class had 25, just on border of teaching is viewed negatively. Others subscales does not deviate more. Positive perceptions of integrated system's students identified the strengths of the curriculum i.e. curriculum enhance their problem solving skills, competencies, student centeredness, teaching and learning strategies strengthened retention of their knowledge in long term memory on the other hand traditional system students scored negative to these areas. Dreem inventory is a useful tool in measuring the learning environment and helps in finding the problems in it