Perception of the educational environment by students from a public university in Northeastern Brazil

Abstract: Introduction: The quality of the educational environment is essential for effective learning in professional training. Objective: This research sought to identify and compare the educational environment perception of students from five different courses in health sciences graduation. Method: Cross-sectional, analytical study, quantitative approach, with 277 students from the courses of Physiotherapy, Nursing, Medicine, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy, enrolled in 2019, at a public university. The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) instrument was used. This inventory has 50 closed questions punctuated on a Likert scale, which at the end, will assess five domains of the educational environment (learning, teachers, academic, atmosphere and social). The Kruskal-Wallis test was used (confidence interval of 95%) to compare the averages of the general score, individual items and domains between courses. Dunn’s method was used to multiply comparisons post hoc analyses. Result: The students’ general perception of their educational environment proved to be “more positive than negative”. The averages of learning, teachers, atmosphere and social domains presented differences between the courses (p < 0.05). The research lowest average item was support for stressed students (p < 0.05). The Medical Graduation showed worrying aspects regarding the perception of learning. Nursing was the best rated course in relation to the general perception of the educational environment. The Physiotherapy and Speech Therapy courses showed areas that deserve attention with regard to the perception of academic social relationships. Finally, the Occupational Therapy course highlighted areas of concern regarding the perception of students about teaching, teachers, academic performance and the atmosphere of the course. Conclusion: There are important differences in the perception of the educational environment by students between the courses evaluated. However, all the courses rated the educational environment more positively than negatively. The lack of support for stressed students is the most worrying area. Therefore, the knowledge of the students’ perception of the educational environment can offer greater direction in the search for the quality of education in health sciences professions.