A study of the effectiveness of the CBL combined with SP in the standardized training of general medicine residents

Background The standardized training of general practitioners is a crucial component of post-graduation medical education and a strategic initiative in China’s healthcare workforce planning. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an innovative teaching model— Case-Based Learning (CBL) combined with Standardized Patient (SP)—in the standardized training of general practice residents, with the goal of informing the development of general practitioner training and supporting national strategic health workforce policies. Methods A total of 48 resident trainees participating in general practice standardized training in the First People’s Hospital of Huzhou City were randomly assigned to the CBL combined SP (CBL-SP) group under the CBL-SP model or the LBL group with traditional teaching. Assessments included knowledge tests, clinical consultation skills, evaluations of teaching satisfaction, conducted both before and after the general rotation were used to evaluate the teaching effects of the two groups. Results Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in clinical competence scores. Comparing the general practice clinical competence of both groups before and after instruction, we found that the CBL-SP group achieved significantly greater improvements than the LBL group across stimulation of learning interest, subjective initiative in learning, knowledge extension ability, improvement in clinical reasoning skills, ability to guide healthy lifestyles, teamwork awareness, willingness to continue this teaching approach, and teaching satisfaction ( p < 0.05). Conclusion The CBL combined with SP demonstrates significant effectiveness in the standardized training of general practice residents. This innovative approach not only enhances learning outcomes and trainee satisfaction but also holds promise for supporting the strategic scaling of high-quality GP training across China, thereby contributing to the nation’s primary care workforce development goals.