Characterization of the learning environment of an Internal Medicine course for medical students of ICESI University of Cali, Colombia

Abstract

IntroductionThe learning environment has many constructs involved and there is not a single ideal instrument that measures all of them. In Colombia, there are few publications on measuring the learning environment in clinical settings, most of them have only quantitative measurements. ObjectiveTo characterize the learning environment of the students of the internal medicine course of ICESI University. Material and methodsMixed study (quantitative and qualitative), which is based on the classroom research method, where the first step is to diagnose the current learning environment. Results58 students participated in the study. The DREEM overall score was of 125/200. The average of teacher's evaluation was 6.38/7. The percentage of students who passed the final written evaluation was 96.7%. We also describe favorable and unfavorable findings in objectives, methodology, didactics, learning resources, evaluation and interaction of educational actors. DiscussionThe results allow us to say that although in general the students perceive a more positive than negative view by DREEM questionnaire, we found in the other results multiple points that can be improved. Curricular changes and comprehensive teacher training plans are necessary to meditate before, during and after their teaching practice, in order to promote educational innovation in the classroom.