title: Student's perceptions of educational environment across multiple undergraduate medical institutions in Pakistan using DREEM inventory.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To objectively assess whether the medical education environment across Pakistan was at an acceptable standard and to determine factors influencing its perception.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cross-sectional study was conducted from August to November 2012 at six undergraduate medical institutions across Pakistan. The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) inventory having five subscales of perceptions of learning, teachers, atmosphere, academic self-perceptions and social self-perceptions was administered anonymously to all the consenting medical students. Data was analysed using SPSS 17.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 3045 questionnaires distributed, 2084(68.4%) were returned duly filled. Of all the respondents, 1311(63%) were females. Overall mean score found positive was 105.0±25.8 (Max: 200). Corresponding scores in the subscales were: student's perception of learning 25.1±7.2 (Max: 48); social self-perception 15.4±3.9 (Max: 28); academic self-perception l7.2±6.5 (Max: 32); perception of teachers being in need of some re-training 22.5±7.1 (Max: 44); and perception of atmosphere as having many issues needing a change 24.8±7.0 (Max: 48). Female students and pre-clinical year students perceived environment as more positive than male students (108.6±23.0 vs. 98.8±28.9 [p<0.001]) and students belonging to clinical years (108.0±24.0 vs. 03.3±26.5 [p<0.001]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Highest score was found in the domain of student's social self-perceptions and lowest in the domain of student's perception of teachers. Results can be used as a basis for planning and executing remedial measures needed to improve undergraduate medical education environment in Pakistan.
authors.forename: Nazish
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Imran
authors.forename: Faiza
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Khalid
authors.forename: Imran Ijaz
authors.initials: II
authors.lastname: Haider
authors.forename: Masood
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jawaid
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Irfan
authors.forename: Asmah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mahmood
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: IjlalHaider
authors.lastname: Sami-ud-din
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan; D010465:Perception; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult