The teaching design of integrating scientific research into the pathophysiology experimental course

The conventional experimental methods can no longer satisfy the requirements of modern higher education in medical sciences. As a result, the integration of scientific research into experimental curricula has become more common in medical education in China. However, the teaching efficacy of integrating scientific research into experimental curricula in local medical universities remains unclear. This study investigated the educational impact of the integrated course model at the School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guilin Medical University. A total of 70 students (2019 cohort) were enrolled in a scientific research-based pathophysiology course, with 77 students (2020 cohort) taking conventional experiments as the control group. Besides regular experiments, this course guided students to conduct a scientific research project on “acute alcoholic liver injury,” which enabled them to gain a deep understanding of the principles of pathophysiology. Compared with the control group, the scientific research-based experiment improved students’ performance in pathophysiology. Moreover, notable improvements were recorded in students’ scientific literacy, self-learning ability, and teamwork proficiency. Notably, this scientific research-based course is highly appreciated by both students and teachers. Therefore, this innovative teaching model merits wider application in experimental teaching at local medical universities.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study aimed to explore the educational impact of the integrated course model at the School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guilin Medical University. Notable improvements were recorded in students’ scientific literacy, self-learning capability, problem-solving skills, teamwork proficiency, and English academic ability. As expected, this was highly appreciated by students and teachers. Therefore, this innovative teaching format merits wider application in experimental teaching at local medical universities.