title: Evaluation of the learning environment of urology residency training using the postgraduate hospital educational environment measure inventory.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The educational environment plays a crucial role in the learning process. We aimed to evaluate the educational-environment perceptions of Saudi urology residents using the postgraduate hospital educational environment measure (PHEEM) inventory, and to investigate associations of their perception with stages of residency program, regions of Saudi Arabia, and main sectors of the health care system.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used PHEEM to measure the educational environment of Saudi urology residents. Respondents' perception was compared regarding different levels of residency training, regions of Saudi Arabia, and sectors of the health care system. Internal reliability of the inventory was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 72 registered residents, 38 (53%) completed the questionnaire. The residents did not perceive their environment positively (77.7±16.5). No significant differences in perception were found among residents of different program stages or Saudi regions. Residents from different health care sectors differed significantly regarding the total PHEEM score (P=0.024) and the teaching subscale (P=0.017). The inventory showed a high internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha of 0.892.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Saudi urology residents perceived the educational environment as less than satisfactory. Perception of the educational environment did not change significantly among different stages of the program or different regions of Saudi Arabia. However, some sectors of the health care system are doing better than others.
authors.affiliation: Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Saleh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Binsaleh
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Abdulrahman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Babaeer
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alkhayal
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Khaled
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Madbouly
keywords: PHEEM; educational environment; residency program; residents