Quality Gaps in Clinical Medical Education in Yemen: A Comparative Study of Student Satisfaction in Public and Private Universities

Abstract

<jats:p>The quality of clinical training is a decisive component of medical education, yet empirical evidence from conflict-affected settings such as Yemen remains scarce. This study investigates undergraduate medical students’ satisfaction with clinical education quality across public and private universities, with a focus on identifying structural and demographic determinants of variation. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 670 clinical-phase medical students in two major Yemeni cities using an Arabic-adapted version of the National Student Survey (NSS), covering eight domains of educational quality. Data were analyzed using non-parametric statistical techniques at a significance level of α = 0.05. The findings reveal consistently higher levels of satisfaction among students enrolled in private universities, particularly in teaching quality, assessment and feedback, learning opportunities, and academic support. In contrast, public university students reported lower satisfaction across most domains, suggesting systemic constraints in resource availability and instructional delivery. Demographic factors also influenced perceptions, with male, married, and older students (24–26 years) reporting significantly higher satisfaction in selected areas. Importantly, institutional characteristics emerged as stronger predictors of satisfaction than individual-level factors. This study provides robust evidence of inequities in clinical education quality within Yemen’s higher education system. It contributes to the limited regional literature by offering a comparative and data-driven assessment of student experience in a fragile context. The findings underscore the need for targeted policy interventions, resource optimization, and pedagogical reforms to enhance the effectiveness, equity, and responsiveness of clinical medical education in Yemen.</jats:p>