Evaluation of the Educational Environments of Clinics in Hospitals Affiliated To Jahrom University of Medical Sciences Based on the Perception of Medical Students

A good educational environment is one of the most important factors in the quality of education. Medical education is important because of its direct impact on the health of patients. A quality educational environment can motivate students to learn better. Outpatient clinic experience is an important part of clinical education. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the status of educational environment in clinics of teaching hospitals affiliated to Jahrom University of Medical Sciences (JUMS) according to the medical students' point of view.

This is a descriptive cross-sectional study with the participation of 176  medical students who were selected using the census method. The data collection tool was the Ambulatory Care Learning Education Environment Measure (ACLEEM) questionnaire, which included two parts; the first part surveyed demographic information, and the second part was the main section with 50 items rated on a five-point scale. To assess the difference in the scores based on demographic factors, independent t-test was used. 

The mean overall ACLEEM score was 2.23±0.50, which was at a moderate level. In the domains of Clinical teachers, clinical activities & patient care, protected time for non-clinical activities, infrastructure, clinical skills, and assessment & feedback, the scores were at a moderate level, while in the domains of “Information. Communication & technology”, and “Clinical supervision”, the scores were lower than average level. The mean scores of ACLEEM were not significantly different in terms of students’ demographic characteristics.

According to medical students, the educational environment of clinics in hospitals affiliated to JUMS is at a moderate level. It is recommended that planners and experts in the field of medical education should identify the weaknesses and strengths of educational settings to increase the quality of outpatient clinical training.