Perception of the learning environment by students in a new medical school in Saudi Arabia: Areas of concern

ObjectiveThe learning environment affects the learning of medical students and their practice as physicians. The objective of the present study was to assess the perceptions of medical students towards the learning environment in a new a Medical School in Saudi Arabia.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study, which used the self-administered validated Dundee Ready Education Environment (DREEM) questionnaire as a tool. The study was performed at the Faculty of Medicine, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The study population was all medical students enrolled in the academic year 2009/2010. The main outcome measure was the perception of students of the overall educational environment.ResultsThe DREEM questionnaire, which consists of 50 items scored on a 0–4 Likert scale, was completed by 237 medical students (85% of total students). The mean total score was 111.5 out of a maximum of 200, indicating a relatively low satisfaction with the perceived environment. There were no individual areas of excellence (item scoring >3.5 points). Ten items scored consistently <50% indicating cause for concern. These included the long term atmosphere of learning, teaching methods, students’ ability to concentrate and teachers’ and students’ attitudes.ConclusionsThis study identified areas of concern in the educational environment within this new medical college. Corrective measures need to be considered. Upon the implementation of those measures, the DREEM tool can be used to re-evaluate the environment.