Association of Perception of Medical Students on Learning Environment with Academic Performance and Personal Growth: A Cross Sectional Psychology Based Study

Abstract

Introduction : The term "medical school learning environment" refers to the various contexts—physical, social, and psychological—in which students of medicine study and develop professionally.This study aims to evaluate   the association of perception of medical students on learning environment with academic performance and personal growth.

Material and Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study on 435 medical students for a period of 1 year. MBBS students above 18 years of age and those who are willing to give consent were included in our study. Excluded from the research were first-year medical students who had not yet finished their first year of medical school as well as students who were currently undergoing any kind of psychological management, including cognitive or behavioural therapy, medication, or a combination of the three. These students' responses could have been skewed due to the effect that treatment had on their psychological status.

Results : Around 40% of the students belongs to 2^nd year, 36.3% belongs to third year and 23.6% belongs to final year. The overall mean scores of John Hopkins Learning Environment Scale score among second year medical school students were 63.54±9.99, on third year medical school students were 58.28±10.42 and on final year medical school students were 54.78±11.14.  The personal growth scale score among second year medical school students were 37.32±5.25, on third year medical school students were 34.55±5.72 and on final year medical school students were 33.73±5.80.  The mean academic performance score among second year medical school students were 49.52±12.79, on third year medical school students were 48.43±11.67 and on final year medical school students were 49.30±12.28.

Conclusion : Overall the John Hopkin environment learning scale scores, personal growth scores and academic performance were high among second year students than final year students. The correlation of academic performance were negatively correlated between learning environment and personal growth scores. On the other hand learning environment scores were statistically  significantly correlated with personal growth scores.