How can we characterize medical simulation environment as a specific type of medical environment?

Background: In order to improve the quality of courses in simulation, it is necessary to get to know the educational environment. The objective of this study was to adapt the DREEM scale and to present a new questionnaire called QuESST, that allows to define medical simulation environment as a specific type of educational environment.Methods: The DREEM scale was translated and adapted into Polish conditions. A new tool – QuESST questionnaire was developed to complete the data with medical simulation environment aspects. Reliability, t-test, Component Analysis as well as correlation between the two methods were assessed in a sample of medical science students (N=312).Results: Statistical analysis presented a good reliability of the Polish translation of the DREEM scale (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0,95). The t-test for the DREEM questionnaire was stable and reliable relevant (t=-,584, p=,562). Significant strong correlation was reported with the DREEM and QuESST tool (r=0,559, p£ 0.001). Also, moderate and high correlations were found with the overall result of QuESST and the results of individual DREEM subscales.Conclusions: The QuESST scale may be considered helpful in determining the medical simulation environment conditions and can be used to supplement the DREEM scale to create an effective educational environment with medical simulation.