Abstract

Background: The Learning Environment (LE) influences the performance of students, learning, social life, mental health, and the future of work. Aim: To assess the learning environment ( LE) among medical residents of 64 specialties. Material and Methods: Two validated instruments Postgraduate Hospital Education Environment Measure (PHEEM) and Ambulatory Care Learning Educational Environment (ACLEEM), and open questions were answered online by 1259 residents from 15 universities. A descriptive and analytical statistical analysis and semantic deductive-inductive analyses of open questions were performed. Results: LE was positive rather than negative (PHEEM of 100.5 points (79- 116) and ACLEEM of 138.5 points (120-157)). An age over 32 years, male sex, studying in a private university, being in first year of residence and being in a non-surgical specialty were associated with a better PHEEM score (p < 0.05). For ACLEEM, the first year of specialty, a non-surgical specialty and studying in a private university were associated with better scores ( p < 0.05). Two programs had excellent LE (Pathological Anatomy and Ophthalmology) and no specialty had a very poor performance or many problems. Aspects of teaching, clinical activities, and teachers were strengths reported by students. Aspects to improve were teaching, protected times and clinical activities. Conclusions: LE among medical specialties had more positive than negative features, but with areas that should be improved.