Abstract:
Introduction: The educational environment is crucial in determining the success of undergraduate
medical education. The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) is a validated tool
to assess the educational environment created in medical schools. The University of Colombo,
Faculty of Medicine (UCFM) is an established medical school with an innovative curriculum. Though
the curriculum is periodically monitored the ‘educational environment’ crucial to its success is not
regularly assessed. We studied the educational environment created at the UCFM, using the DREEM
questionnaire.
Materials and methods: The DREEM questionnaire was administered to a batch of 192 senior medical
undergraduates at UCFM maintaining anonymity. The results were analysed using SPSS 16 and
relevant statistical tests. Results were compared with relevant similar studies.
Results: Of the 151 students (78.6%) who responded, majority (65.6%) responded ‘more positively
than negatively’ to the DREEM inventory. The global mean score was 53.7% in comparison to
medical schools of Dundee (69.5%), Nepal (65%) and Sri Jayawardenapura in Sri Lanka (53.6%).
The study subscale scores were placed a step below the ideal score, similar to scores of above
medical schools. Of the sub scales, the student’s perception of teachers and their perception of the
atmosphere scored comparatively lower, with significant gender differences in perception.
Discussion: Majority had a positive perception of the UCFM educational environment with males
requiring more support in certain areas. The two Sri Lankan medical schools had similar results.
Problem areas and areas requiring enhancement in the UCFM educational environment needs
effective management for the success of its curriculum.
