title: Dream of a conducive learning environment: One DREEM for all medical students!
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare students' response assessed by Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure on the basis of the year of study, gender and pre-medical educational background.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study was carried out at the Aga Khan University Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan, from June 2014 to March 2015, and comprised medical students. The average scores of Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure scales and subscales were compared between gender and educational background. Responses were also compared on the basis of year of study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 416 participants, 184 (44%) were males and 232 (56%) were females. There were 100 (24%) students in the first year, 90 (21.6%) in second, 92 (22.1%) in third, 91 (21.9%) in fourth and 43 (10.3%) in the fifth year. The mean Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure score was 125.7±16.8. The mean score of females and students with higher secondary school background was significantly better as compared to males and students in British General Certificate of Education background, respectively (p<0.0001, p=0.017). Female medical students were satisfied with the atmosphere of teaching and learning (p<0.0001; p=0.011). Year-wise comparison showed significantly better Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure score responses by fourth-year students (p<0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Assessment by Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure endorsed approval of conducive learning environment with reference to atmosphere, teaching, learning, sense of well-being, academic self-perception and achievement by all medical students.
authors.affiliation: Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Rehana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rehman
authors.affiliation: Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Kulsoom
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ghias
authors.affiliation: Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Syeda Sadia
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Fatima
authors.affiliation: Research Development, Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Mehwish
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.affiliation: Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Faiza
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alam
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Dundee ready education environment measure (DREEM), Learning environment, Medical students. 