Perception of the Educational Environment and Its Correlation with Academic Performance of Medical Students in a Public Sector Medical Institute of Pakistan

Abstract

Objective: The study aims to assess their correlation and provide recommendations for a conducive educational environment (EE). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in a public sector medical institute of Pakistan in which EE of 320 students from 2 till 5 years was assessed using Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure (DREEM). Results: The mean DREEM score was 98.32/200 indicating the perception to be on the less positive side. Students’ academic self-perception (SASP) domain scored highest (16.97/32, 53%) while students' perception of teaching (SPT) domain scored the lowest (20.07/44, 45.5%). The difference in mean DREEM and subdomains scores across academic years were statistically significant (p<0.001) with 2-year having the lowest (86.4) and 4 year having the highest (110.22) mean scores. There was a significant positive correlation between academic performance and total DREEM score (r=0.661, p<0.01) The simple linear regression for predicting obtained scores in recent professional exams by total DREEM score was statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: Academic performance was strongly correlated with the perception of the educational environment. Improving the perception of the educational environment will lead to better academic performance. Interventions such as training of teaching faculty, promotion of research-oriented learning, and the establishment of a support system for stressed students will help the administration to provide a better educational environment and improve the academic performance of students.