How is the Educational Environment of Private Allopathic Medical College in Mumbai? Sabale R1,*, Kowli S2 1Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, K J Somaiya Medical College and Research Centre, Ayurvihar, Everard Nagar, Sion, Mumbai-400022, Maharashtra, India 2HOD and Professor, Department of Community Medicine, K J Somaiya Medical College and Research Centre, Ayurvihar, Everard Nagar, Sion, Mumbai-400022, Maharashtra, India *Corresponding author email id: rupalivsabale@gmail.com, rupali@somaiya.edu
Online published on 10 December, 2015. Abstract Background Teaching is creating an environment for learning and dissemination of knowledge. Educational environment (EE) is one of the most important factors determining the success of an effective learning. Various studies have been done on assessing EE in the medical schools but no such study has been done in Mumbai. Objective To determine the quality of EE of the Private Allopathic Medical College in Mumbai. Methodology Cross-sectional, institutional based study was conducted from November 2014 to March 2015 on 82 students of MBBS 3rd year. The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) questionnaire, which is validated, non-culturally specific, allows quality assurance and can produce global readings was self-administered to all MBBS students after written informed consent and ethical committee approval. Statistical analysis was done by using Microsoft Excel 2007 and SPSS version 16 to calculate mean scores, proportion and Cronbach's alpha. Results Cronbach's alpha was 0.9 for DREEM questionnaire. Mean score was 127/200. Mean scores for students’ perception of learning and for teachers were 30/48 and 29/44, respectively. Students’ academicand social self-perception were20/32 and 17/28, respectively. Students’ perception for atmosphere was 31/48. Positive points identified were: teachers are knowledgeable, have good communication skills with patients, and students have good social life and friends during this course. Weaknesses identified are: teaching over emphasises factual learning, no good support system for students from teachers who get stressed and students get bored on this course. Conclusion Students have overall positive perception for EE. Weaknesses identified had to be addressed by further in-depth studies. Top Keywords Educational environment, DREEM score, Undergraduate medical students, Students’ perception. Top |