Determining the quality of the medical educational environment at an Irish medical school using the DREEM inventory.

A Cross-Sectional study using the already validated Dundee Ready Educational Environment (DREEM) questionnaire was used to assess the Undergraduate Medical Educational Environment in an Irish Medical School during the first semester 2004/2005. 389 of 476 students (82%) completed the questionnaire. The mean total score was 130 out of a maximum of 200 (65%) indicating relative satisfaction with the environment but with room for improvement. There were no individual areas of excellence identified. The following two areas were identified as being problematic (a) lack of a support system for stressed students (b) over emphasis on memorization of facts. These areas were perceived by clinical students to be greater when compared to pre-clinical students. Female students appeared happier in their environment but male students were more confident about passing exams. Non-Irish students had a lower overall score when compared to Irish students. The DREEM is a useful tool to assess the overall teaching environment and highlight areas of weakness. Use of DREEM as a monitoring tool would be useful to re-evaluate the environment following appropriate intervention.