A multicenter cross-sectional study in China revealing the intrinsic relationship between medical students' grade and their perceptions of the learning environment

Runzhi Huang, Weijin Qian, Sujie Xie, Mei Cheng, Meiqiong Gong, Shuyuan Xian, Minghao Jin, Mengyi Zhang, Jieling Tang, Bingnan Lu, Yiting Yang, Zhenglin Liu, Mingyu Qu, Haonan Ma, Xinru Wu, Huabin Yin*, Xiaonan Wang*, Xin Liu*, Yue Wang*, Wenfang Chen*Min Lin*, Chongyou Zhang*, Erbin Du*, Qing Lin*, Zongqiang Huang*, Jie Zhang*, Guoyang Zhang*, Yifan Liu*, Yu Chen*, Jun Liu*, Shizhao Ji*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background Medical school learning environment (MSLE) has a holistic impact on students' psychosomatic health, academic achievements, and personal development. Students in different grades perceive MSLE in different ways. Thus, it is essential to investigate the specific role of student's grade in the perception of MSLE. Methods Using the Johns Hopkins Learning Environment Scale (JHLES) as a quantification instrument for the perception level of MSLE, 10,901 medical students in 12 universities in China were categorized into low or high JHLES group according to their questionnaires. We investigated the relationship between student's grade and JHLES category by univariate analysis employing Pearson Chi-square test and Welch's ANOVA. Then multivariable logistic regression analysis confirmed the predictive efficacy of student's grade. A nomogram concerning the prediction of low JHLES score probability in medical students was also constructed. Results A significant difference between two JHLES categories among students in different grades was observed (p < 0.001), with the proportion of the high JHLES group dominating in grade 1, 5, and the graduate subgroups (p < 0.001). The mean JHLES score declined especially in the third and fourth graders compared to freshmen (p < 0.001), while the mean score among the fifth graders had a remarkable rebound from the third graders (p < 0.001). Most imperatively, identified by multivariable logistic regression analysis, students in grade 3 (OR = 1.470, 95% CI = 1.265-1.709, p < 0.001) and 4 (OR = 1.578, 95% CI = 1.326-1.878, p < 0.001) perceived more negatively than freshmen. The constructed nomogram provided a promising prediction model for student's low JHLES score probability, with accuracy, accordance, and discrimination (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.627). Conclusion The student's grade was a significant influencing factor in medical students' perception of MSLE. The perceptions among the third and fourth graders got worse, probably due to the worrying changes in various aspects of MSLE during that period. The relevant and appropriate interventions to improve medical students' perceptions are urgently needed.
Original languageEnglish
Article number832
Number of pages16
JournalBMC Medical Education
Volume24
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2024

Keywords

  • Medical school learning environment
  • Johns Hopkins learning environment scale
  • Perception
  • Student's grade
  • Nomogram
  • Intervention
  • Cross-sectional study
  • EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT
  • ACADEMIC-PERFORMANCE
  • SCHOOL
  • ASSOCIATION
  • TRANSITION
  • RESIDENTS
  • STRESS

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