Student Satisfaction Surveys Conducted Among Medical Undergraduates After the Final MBBS Examination in 2020 and 2021, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna

Abstract

Evaluating the satisfaction level among medical undergraduates is an essential step in ensuring the quality of medical education. The Faculty of Medicine (FoM), University of Ruhuna (UoR) conducts student satisfaction surveys (SSS) annually, aiming to improve the quality of teaching, learning environment, and facilities of the faculty. Two SSSs were conducted through a Google Form in 2020 and 2021 for the students who completed the final MBBS examination before the results were released. Students were given a week to respond anonymously. The questionnaire prepared by referencing international SSS was reviewed and approved by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell. It was a self-administered questionnaire consisting of twenty-one questions on the quality of teaching, the learning environment, and the facilities of the faculty. The responses were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test in SPSS version 28.0. The response rates in 2020 and 2021 were, 46/179 (25.7%) and 67/161 (41.6%), respectively (p=0.002). In both years, the majority of the respondents were females (2020-78.3%, 2021-73.1%). Out of 21 questions, only 3 questions showed a significant difference between the responses received in the two years. The results indicated that students were satisfied with the quality of teaching. Students rated all the aspects inquired on learning environment above average. The satisfaction of the students was high with facilities of library, IT, hostel, Deans’ office, and student affairs unit. The response towards the quality of the canteen was not satisfactory. However, it has improved in 2021 compared to 2020 (p<0.000). Reporting of harassment faced during the undergraduate period was improved in 2021 compared to 2020 (p=0.8). The information obtained through this survey is useful in identifying the deficiencies for corrective measures.