Postgraduate Perception of Stress Levels, Educational Environment, and their Association at Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad/Jamshoro

Abstract

Background: Academic environmental variables influence students' behavior and are connected to academic achievement. Understanding the educational environment is critical for controlling and improving the learning experience of students at the educational establishment.
Objective: To study the postgraduate resident’s perception regarding the hospital educational environment, their self-perceived stress levels, and the association between the two at Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad/Jamshoro, Pakistan.
Methodology: This cross-sectional analysis was conducted at Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad/Jamshoro, from May, to July 2020 on a sample of 94 post graduate residents (chosen via non-probability, consecutive sampling) working at the said hospital for more than six months. After taking informed written consent, data were collected using an anonymous pre-structured, self-administered English questionnaire, comprising inquiries about basic sociodemographic details. Also used was a Likert-type modified form of the Post-Graduate Hospital Educational Environment Measure (PHEEM) and Perceived Stress Scale. The data obtained was analyzed using SPSS v. 21.0 and MS Excel 2013.
Results: Out of 130 residents, 72.3% (n = 94) completed the questionnaire. The majority of the sample was male (59.58%). The mean score of PHEEM was 92.87 + 13.34, and the mean perceived stress score was high, i.e., 28.34 + 6.45. Female residents reported higher levels of stress (32.37) than men (25.61). Higher stress levels were also negatively associated with the PHEEM score (P = 0.0341).
Conclusion: Most residents did not perceive the educational environment as favorable low PHEEM scores were significantly associated with higher perceived stress scores. Thus efforts directed at reducing the stress levels faced by the residents may help improve their perception of the hospital educational environment and result in better education and training outcomes.