# Students’ Perceptions of Learning Environment in a Medical College in Mangalore, India: A Mixed-Methods Study

## TL;DR

This study explores how medical students in Mangalore, India, perceive their learning environment and identifies areas for improvement.

## Contribution

The study provides a mixed-methods evaluation of the educational environment in a specific Indian medical college.

## Key findings

- The overall DREEM score was 61.26%, indicating a generally positive learning environment.
- Students' perception of teachers was the highest domain, while social self-perception was the lowest.
- Thematic analysis highlighted issues like rote learning and stress, suggesting a need for interactive teaching and support systems.

## Abstract

Background: The educational environment significantly influences medical students’ academic success and well-being. Assessing perceptions of this environment is crucial for improving educational quality. This study was designed to evaluate students’ perceptions of their learning environment in a medical college in Mangalore, Karnataka, India.

Materials and Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted among medical students in 2023. The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) questionnaire, which assesses domains including Students’ Perception of Learning (SPL), Students’ Perception of Teachers (SPT), Students’ Academic Self-Perception (SASP), Students’ Perception of Atmosphere (SPA), and Students’ Social Self-Perception (SSSP), along with focus group discussions, was used. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States), employing t-tests, ANOVA, and thematic analysis (p < 0.05).

Results: The DREEM score was 122.53/200 (61.26%), indicating a positive environment. The SPT domain had the highest scores, with significant differences observed across academic years (p = 0.006), and SSSP was the lowest (55.50%, p=0.006). Batch differences were significant for SPL, SPT, SPA, and SSSP (p<0.050). Thematic analysis revealed concerns about rote memorization, stress, and limited clinical integration, highlighting needs for interactive teaching and support systems.

Conclusion: The educational environment was generally positive, but social support and stress management need improvement. Enhancing interactive teaching and support systems is essential to optimizing the learning experience and preparing students for professional roles.