title: Learning Environment, Preparedness and Satisfaction in Osteopathy in Europe: The PreSS Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  1) to assess the preparedness to practice and satisfaction in learning environment amongst new graduates from European osteopathic institutions; 2) to compare the results of preparedness to practice and satisfaction in learning environment between and within countries where osteopathy is regulated and where regulation is still to be achieved; 3) to identify possible correlations between learning environment and preparedness to practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Osteopathic education providers of full-time education located in Europe were enrolled, and their final year students were contacted to complete a survey. Measures used were: Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure (DREEM), the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and a demographic questionnaire. Scores were compared across institutions using one-way ANOVA and generalised linear model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine European osteopathic education institutions participated in the study (4 located in Italy, 2 in the UK, 1 in France, 1 in Belgium and 1 in the Netherlands) and 243 (77%) of their final-year students completed the survey. The DREEM total score mean was 121.4 (SEM: 1.66) whilst the AAMC was 17.58 (SEM:0.35). A generalised linear model found a significant association between not-regulated countries and total score as well as subscales DREEM scores (p<0.001). Learning environment and preparedness to practice were significantly positively correlated (r=0.76; p<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A perceived higher level of preparedness and satisfaction was found amongst students from osteopathic institutions located in countries without regulation compared to those located in countries where osteopathy is regulated; however, all institutions obtained a 'more positive than negative' result. Moreover, in general, cohorts with fewer than 20 students scored significantly higher compared to larger student cohorts. Finally, an overall positive correlation between students' preparedness and satisfaction were found across all institutions recruited.
authors.affiliation: Clinical-based Human Research Department, Research Division, C.O.ME. Collaboration, Pescara, Italy.
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Luciani
authors.affiliation: Research Division, C.O.ME. Collaboration, Mechelen, Belgium; Free University of Brussels, Department of Osteopathic Sciences, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Patrick L S
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: van Dun
authors.affiliation: Clinical-based Human Research Department, Research Division, C.O.ME. Collaboration, Pescara, Italy; British School of Osteopathy (BSO), London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jorge Eduardo
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Esteves
authors.affiliation: Clinical-based Human Research Department, Research Division, C.O.ME. Collaboration, Pescara, Italy; Centro Ricerche Olistiche per la Medicina Osteopatica e Naturale (CROMON), Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lunghi
authors.affiliation: Centre pour l'Etude, la Recherche et la Diffusion Osteopathiques (CERDO), Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Petracca
authors.affiliation: International College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM), Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Liria
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Papa
authors.affiliation: Institut des Hautes Etudes Ostéopathiques (IdHEO), Orvault, France.
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Merdy
authors.affiliation: European School of Osteopathy (ESO), Maidstone, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jäkel
authors.affiliation: Clinical-based Human Research Department, Research Division, C.O.ME. Collaboration, Pescara, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cerritelli
mesh_terms: D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D010021:Osteopathic Medicine / Q000193:education*