Same Syllabus, Different Country - Using Dreem To Compare The Educational Environments At Two Pharmacy Schools

Background: A new pharmacy twining programme between universities in Malaysia (Taylor's, TU) and the United Kingdom (Cardiff, CU) started in 2011.Aims: To compare the pharmacy students' perceived educational environments in two institutions using the same syllabus.Methods: In October 2012, a modified version of DREEM (Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure) was administered to Year 2 and Year 3 students in both schools, relating views to the previous academic year.Results: For both schools, the total mean scores revealed a positive education environment. CU students perceived the environment to be significantly more positive than TU students (145/200 vs 128/200, p<0.005). Sub-domain scores showed significant difference between TU and CU (t-test, p<0.05). Highest scores of perceptions of the learning environment in TU were associated with learning and lowest with atmosphere.Conclusion: The study has provided useful information about the strengths and areas of improvement for both schools. Plans are being employed to further enhance the quality of the educational environment.