Abstract

Abdus Salam, Harlina Halizah Siraj, Rahmatullah Khan and Ashfaq Akram*

ABSTRACT

Background: Qualitative study determines the concealed and hidden aspects of the educational environment. It helps to understand the quality of educational environment of the institute. Aim: This study aimed to assess the clinical learning environment by the students using a qualitative approach. Methodology: Under graduate medical students (N=31) of year-5 of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) participated in the study in year 2014. Five theme based open ended questionnaires „hospital atmosphere, teachers? role in bed side teaching, number of students per clinical posting and other factors termed as miscellaneous? were distributed after a lecture based seminar. Students were asked to give written perception, expectation and problems faced in their educational environment associated with clinical teaching and learning. Twenty two, out of 31, restored their responses. Data was collected and thematic analysis was done Results: Clinical learning environment to be less stressful; teachers as role models with excellent professional behavior were identified as major factors. In addition, reducing the strength of cohort intake (200<) was suggested. Conclusion All these measures would be helpful to improve the clinical educational environment. UKM medical school managers need to pay attention on proper facilitation by the lecturers in order to produce competent graduate.