Perception of “Chilly Climate” among students in Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Background - “Chilly Academic Climate” is the “subtle ways that communicate to women that they are not quite first-class citizens in the academic community”1. The existence of a Chilly Climate within medical schools and the differences of sensitivity among demographic groups of their inhabitants, have been reported1,2. Objectives - To describe the Chilly Climate in a medical school environment as perceived by undergraduates and to determine the demographic differences. Method - A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among a convenience sample of Sri Lankan medical undergraduates. Perceived Chilly Climate Scale (PCCS), contentvalidated to be used in Sri Lanka (with 25 items; seven-point rating scale; score >25 indicates some form of ‘Chilly Climate’), was used as the tool of data collection. Results - 414 responded to the survey (Males: 116 & Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS): 360). The overall reliability of PCCS was high (0.831). The average score for the school was 74.76/175 (MBBS: 73.35/175 & Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences (BScSHS): 84.19/175). Females’ perception was stronger than that of males (MBBS: 76.33 & 67.09, P=0.000 & BScSHS: 84.93 & 81.58, P=0.492). The average scores increase significantly from first to final years in the MBBS program (Min: 67.82- Max: 82.58, p=0.000). Some of the minority religious and ethnic groups have perceived chilly climate stronger than the majority groups. Conclusion - The Chilly Climate is somewhat stronger in the institution. Females perceived Chilly Climate stronger than males. The Chilly Climate appears to become stronger in clinical years than in pre-clinical years. The perceptions may be affected by ‘the minority’ factor.