Relationship between evaluation of the teaching environment using DREEM scores and students' school learning scores

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. The results from a comprehensive survey of students' perceptions of their educational environment using the Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure (DREEM) in our Medical School were compared with students' school learning scores. The subjects (n=495) were medical students beyond their first year of medical school. The students were asked to read each DREEM statement carefully and respond using a 5-point Likert-type scale, with responses ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. The mean total DREEM score was 113.4, and there was no significant difference among total DREEM scores for students in different school years. Sixth-year students scored significantly higher than those in the second year for the Academic Self-Perception and Social Self-Perception domains. Females had higher school learning scores and also had better total and Perception of Course Organizers DREEM scores. The DREEM score tended to be lower for those with lower school learning scores, with significant differences found for total, Academic Self-Perception and Social Self-Perception scores. This is the first study to use the DREEM score for Japanese medical students, and further prospective research is required to obtain a complete understanding of the results.