Table 3

Comparison of the students' perceptions, expectations and service gaps in different educational levels

Service Dimensions

Educational Level

Perception

Expectation

Service gaps

Assurance

Associate degree

3.31

4.06

-0.74

Bachelor of Science

3.16

4.01

-0.85

General medicine

3.17

4.40

-1.23

ANOVA*

p** = 0.15

p < 0.004

p < 0.001

Responsiveness

Associate degree

2.80

3.80

-0.99

Bachelor of Science

2.84

3.90

-1.06

General medicine

2.68

4.20

-1.52

ANOVA

p = 0.35

p < 0.005

p < 0.001

Empathy

Associate degree

3.13

3.90

-0.76

Bachelor of Science

2.97

3.95

-0.98

General medicine

3.06

4.36

-1.30

ANOVA

p = 0.24

p < 0.001

p < 0.001

Reliability

Associate degree

3.44

3.95

-0.51

Bachelor of Science

3.31

4.06

-0.75

General medicine

3.28

4.35

-1.07

ANOVA

p = 0.12

p < 0.002

p < 0.001

Tangibles

Associate degree

3.16

3.81

-0.64

Bachelor of Science

2.98

3.92

-0.94

General medicine

3.10

4.23

-1.13

ANOVA

p = 0.26

p < 0.005

p < 0.003

Total service quality

Associate degree

3.19

3.91

-0.72

Bachelor of Science

3.07

3.98

-0.90

General medicine

3.08

4.32

-1.24

ANOVA

p = 0.17

p < 0.001

p < 0.001

* Oneway ANOVA **P. value

Aghamolaei and Zare BMC Medical Education 2008 8:34   doi:10.1186/1472-6920-8-34