Department of Languages for Biomedical Purposes and Communication, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti str 12, Pécs, H-7624, Hungary.
Institute of Bioanalysis, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti str 12, Pécs, H-7624, Hungary.
BMC Med Educ. 2024 Oct 24;24(1):1211. doi: 10.1186/s12909-024-06197-1.
Hungarian medical schools attract a diverse student body, enrolling numerous international and Hungarian students annually. The learning environment, encompassing all facets of their academic experience, significantly influences the overall educational experience at the medical schools. As the first nationwide survey, this study aimed to assess and compare the perceptions of international and Hungarian medical and dental students regarding their learning environment across the four medical schools in Hungary.
The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) tool was used to get a better insight into the perceptions of international and Hungarian medical and dental students on their learning environment (LE). The questionnaire was distributed via social media platforms and the Neptun Educational System across the four medical schools in Hungary. To gain deeper insights into the participants' perceptions, a qualitative component was also added to the survey, comprising five open-ended questions. The research was carried out between April and October 2022. To analyse quantitative data, IBM SPSS was used, while the transcription and exploration of the qualitative data was performed using the Sketch Engine software.
A total of 1164 valid responses were received. The results illuminate similarities and differences in perceptions of the learning environment between international and Hungarian medical and dental students. As anticipated, international students' perceptions were somewhat less favourable compared to their domestic counterparts, who are generally more accustomed to the workings of the Hungarian higher educational system (total DREEM score was 118.1 for the former, and 122.6 for the latter student population). Notably, significant differences were observed in perceptions of teachers and the overall atmosphere.
The total score of the DREEM questionnaire was interpreted as "more positive than negative" for both international and Hungarian students, consistent with findings from other DREEM surveys, suggesting overall satisfaction with the learning environment. However, regular and ongoing evaluation of the learning environment is recommended in order to identify areas for improvement, ensure high standards of education, and continuously enhance the overall student experience.
匈牙利的医学院吸引了来自世界各地的学生，每年都会招收众多国际学生和匈牙利本地学生。学习环境是学生学术体验的各个方面的综合体现，对医学院的整体教育体验有着重要的影响。作为首次全国性调查，本研究旨在评估和比较来自匈牙利四所医学院的国际学生和匈牙利本地学生对其学习环境的看法。
采用邓迪教育环境感知量表（DREEM）工具，深入了解国际学生和匈牙利本地学生对学习环境的看法。问卷通过社交媒体平台和 Neptun 教育系统在匈牙利的四所医学院发放。为了更深入地了解参与者的看法，调查还增加了定性部分，包括五个开放式问题。研究于 2022 年 4 月至 10 月进行。为了分析定量数据，使用了 IBM SPSS，而对定性数据的转录和探索则使用了 Sketch Engine 软件。
共收到 1164 份有效回复。研究结果揭示了国际学生和匈牙利本地学生对学习环境的看法存在相似之处和差异。不出所料，国际学生的看法相对不如他们的本地同行，后者通常更适应匈牙利高等教育系统的运作方式（前者的总 DREEM 得分为 118.1，后者为 122.6）。值得注意的是，在对教师和整体氛围的看法上存在显著差异。
对于国际学生和匈牙利本地学生来说，DREEM 问卷的总得分被解释为“积极多于消极”，这与其他 DREEM 调查的结果一致，表明他们对学习环境总体上感到满意。然而，建议定期和持续评估学习环境，以确定需要改进的领域，确保教育高标准，并不断提升学生的整体体验。
