Investigation of Educational Climate in Major Clinical Wards in Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS) Based on DREEM Model

Background and purpose:The quality of educational environment as the spirit of curriculum has frequently been identified as crucial to effective learning. This study measures the educational environment in 4 major clinical wards at university affiliated teaching hospitals by using DREEM(Dundee Ready Education environment measure) model, and explored the opinions of medical staffs.Method:This is a cross sectional study, using DREEM Questionnaire that is modified by national culture in 3 subscales including: perception of learning, perception of course organizers and perception of Atmosphere. Four major wards of General surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics- Gynecologyand Internal Medicine in 4 different hospitals affiliated to the university was chosen. 53 medical staffs responded the Questionnaire by simple Random Sampling. Data analyzed by SPSS software and tests have done with 5% Alpha error. (Pilot study was done on 10 persons).Results: ‘Total scores of surgical wards (surgery and obstetrics-Gynecology) were significantly lower than non -surgical wards (pediatrics and internal medicine) (PV=0.015).The overall mean score of modified DREEM questionnaire 119/140 (82.8% , 95% CI 78.8% to 88%).The mean score in 3 main subscales showed no significant difference in terms of gender and hospitals.Significant difference was observed in the subscale perception of Atmosphere. Pediatric ward got the best score and internal medical ward got the least score.(PV = 0.027)Conclusion: The overall educational environment score of major clinical wards for undergraduate is excellent. Internal medicine ward got the least score in all three subscales that needs serious reform in teaching- learning activities. A curricular change seems mandatory.