From technique mastery to scientific thinking: how open-ended experiments shape medical students' perception of laboratory course roles in China

This study revealed that medical students' perceptions of the roles of laboratory courses were influenced by experimental teaching methods. Open-ended experiments have emerged as effective tools for fostering scientific thinking. This research emphasizes the importance of refining teaching methods in the preclinical phase to foster an environment conducive for enhancing the scientific thinking of Chinese students and the overall effectiveness of medical education.