Perceptions of the educational environment of a new medical school, Saudi Arabia

Background: Educational environment hugely impacts the learning process. An assessment of perceptions of students about the educational environment at Qassim University College of Medicine (QUCOM) would assist educators and college administration in gauging the quality of the learning in this venue. The aim of this study is to see the educational environment of an innovative undergraduate medical program through the eyes of students. Methods: During the academic year 2011/2012, a survey was performed at QUCOM using the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) questionnaire. All undergraduate students participated in the survey. Comparisons between, students' responses according to their study years in the college and gender were taken into consideration. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 17.0. The scores assigned by the students to questionnaire items were converted into and continuous variables and summarized as means. Results: Out of 467 students enrolled at QUCOM 454 students (61% males and 39% females) participated in the study (response rate of 97%). The mean age of the participants was 21.4 (standard deviation: 2.2). The mean total score was 112, out of a possible maximum of 200. The mean total score for Perception of Learning was 26/48; for Perceptions of Teaching 25/44; for Academic Self perceptions 20/32; for Perceptions of Atmosphere 26/48 and for Social Self Perceptions 15/28. The mean score of 1.13 for Item 3 "There is a good support system for students who get stressed" was the lowest and is indicative of the pressures felt by the students. While the mean score of 3.24 for Item 15 "I have good friends in this school" was the highest showing good relationship between students. There were no significant differences of perceptions between genders and between basic sciences and clinical phases. Conclusion: Students perceive the educational environment at QUCOM as having more positives than negatives. Certain areas need further exploration and improvements, which should serve as a decision support mechanism for educationists at QUCOM in rationalizing their priorities for reforms.