title: [Students' perception of the educational environment of medical schools in Korea: findings from a nationwide survey].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to examine students' perception of the educational environment of medical schools in Korea.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 9,096 of 12,035 students (75.6%) responded to our questionnaire. This study was conducted at the end of the 2013 academic year using the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) at 40 medical schools in Korea. DREEM comprises five domains: students' perceptions of learning (SPL); students' perceptions of teachers (SPT); students' academic self-perceptions; students' perceptions of atmosphere; and students' social self-perception. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, and one-way analysis of variance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall mean DREEM score was 113.97 (of 200), and the scores for the 40 medical schools ranged from 100.24 to 134.32. The overall mean and domains scores of the DREEM differed significantly between educational systems, grades, genders, and academic achievement levels. Graduate-level medical students had higher scores for the DREEM and its five domains than undergraduate medical students. The scores were lowest in second-year students (mean, 111.80). Male students' perceptions were significantly higher than those of female students except for SPL and SPT. High academic achievers' perceptions were also greater versus low academic achievers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Students' perceptions of their educational environment are positive in Korea. The learning environment should be evaluated by curriculum planners and administrators of medical schools to improve its quality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Education, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Kwi Hwa
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Education, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Joo Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Education, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Jung Ae
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Rhee
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Education, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Jong Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Education, Chosun University College of Medicine, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Joon
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Education, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Jin
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Duk Joon
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Suh
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D001290:Attitude; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012577:Schools, Medical; D013337:Students, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure; Learning environment; Medical education; Medical students