Abstract

OSVALDO WASSERMANN, Alfredo; ANGELES HARRIS, María de los; DEMECO, Susana  and  GUILLERMO BERNABO, Jorge. An analytical system to determine opportunities for teaching improvement based on student perceptions. Educ. méd. [online]. 2006, vol.9, n.2, pp.66-74. ISSN 1575-1813.

Rationale: The aim of the study was to evaluate a system to determine opportunities for teaching improvement, from a survey of student perceptions, and the level of student satisfaction regarding the quality of medical education. Methods: A survey divided into three main areas - general data, quantitative and qualitative sections - was carried out across a sample of students from 15 courses throughout 2003. For the quantitative section, a five-level scale was used. Questions were grouped in domains: general satisfaction (GS), teaching activity (TA), contents (Co), evaluation (Ev) and structure and comfort (SC). Factor analysis and reliability were calculated using Spearman and simple correlation matrix and Cronbach´s alpha-coefficient, respectively. Answers were evaluated individually, by domain and course, comparing levels and significance of the differences with the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: 179 surveys were obtained from 190 students. The Cronbach´s alpha-coefficient was 0.90. The answers indicated determination in choices, since only 28% of the surveyed students chose the indetermination level, while 13% chose the two lower levels, and 59% chose the higher ones. In the higher levels GS yielded 62%, TA 64%, Co 60%, Ev 49% and SC 50%, and bedside training 51%. Among surveyed students, 83% would recommend taking courses in the hospital in question (control question). The question referring to teaching objectives showed the highest level of indetermination. Conclusions: This student satisfaction survey proved to be a reliable tool for the evaluation of education. The analytical system comparing courses through different statistical tools mainly used in quality programs made it possible to identify specific improvement opportunities for each course.

Keywords : Student Satisfaction Survey; Evaluation of education; Undergraduate medical education; Quality of education.

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