Evaluating the Perception of Undergraduate Medical Students About the Educational Environment by Using the Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure (DREEM) Questionnaire

BackgroundThis study uses the Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure (DREEM) questionnaire to investigateundergraduate medical students' perceptions regarding their educational environment. The study recognizesthe pivotal role of the educational environment in shaping future healthcare professionals and aims tocontribute valuable insights for continuous improvement. The DREEM questionnaire, a validated tool,provides a structured approach to assess various dimensions of the educational environment. The studyexplores teaching and learning, academic atmosphere, student self-perception, social support, and overallsatisfaction, seeking to identify strengths and areas for enhancement. The overarching goal is to offerevidence-based recommendations for academic institutions, curriculum developers, and policymakers tofoster an environment that optimally nurtures the learning experiences of undergraduate medical students.The study aspires to contribute to the ongoing efforts to refine and elevate medical education, ensuring theholistic development of future healthcare professionals.Aims & objectivesUsing the DREEM questionnaire, evaluate undergraduate medical students' perceptions regarding theireducational environment. Identifying the strengths and weaknesses in the current educational environment,encompassing teaching and learning, academic atmosphere, student self-perception, and social support.MethodologyAll undergraduate medical students of C.U.Shah Medical College and Hospital, Surendranagar, Gujarat(India), were included in the study. DREEM questionnaire was introduced in classroom settings in digitalform with the help of Google Forms. The perceptions were obtained and analyzed with the help of GoogleSheets.ResultsThe DREEM questionnaire mean scores (124.58/200) indicate an overall positive perception of theeducational environment among medical students, with total scores falling within the 'More Positive thanNegative' range. The domain-wise analysis reveals scores for Students' Perception of Learning (SPL)30.09/48, Students' Perception of Teachers (SPT) 27.87/44, Students' Academic Self-Perceptions (SASP)20.60/32, Students' Perception of Atmosphere (SPA) 30.31/48, and Students' Social Self-Perceptions (SSSP)15.72/28, indicating varying perceptions across different aspects of the educational environment. Within thedomains, the SPL scores range from 10 to 44 (mean: 29.91), with one response in the 'very poor' range. SPTscores vary from 4 to 44 (mean: 27.49), with three 'very poor' responses. SASP scores range from 6 to 32(mean: 20.73), with one response in the 'Feelings of total failure' range. SPA scores range from 9 to 48 (mean:30.29), with one response in the 'Very poor environment' range. SSSP scores vary from 6 to 28 (mean: 15.66),with five 'Miserable' responses.ConclusionThe study using DREEM scores highlights a generally positive perception of the educational environmentamong medical students. Areas for improvement include addressing fatigue-related concerns and enhancingteacher-student interactions, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to ensure ongoingenhancement in the learning environment.