Application of standardized patients simulation teaching supported medical history collection thinking training in TCM internal medicine teaching

Objective To explore the impact of medical history collection thinking training supported by SP simulation teaching on the teaching of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) internal medicine. Methods Two classes of acupuncture and massage therapy majors were randomly selected as the experimental group (n = 40) and the control group (n = 40). During the practical teaching process of internal medicine in TCM, the experimental group employed a medical history collection thinking training method supported by SP simulation teaching, while the control group received case-based teaching. Both groups underwent assessments on medical history collection skills for lung, heart, brain, spleen and stomach, liver and gallbladder, kidney, qi-blood-body fluid, and limb meridian system diseases in TCM internal medicine; The final practical skills exam; The first simulated exam, the second simulated exam, and the formal exam of the first stage medical history collection exam for the competence of TCM practitioners. Additionally, the experimental group's teaching effectiveness was evaluated through methods such as questionnaire surveys. Results Compared with the control group, the scores of the experimental group students in collecting medical history of lung, heart, brain, spleen and stomach, liver and gallbladder, kidney, qi-blood-body fluid, and limb meridian system diseases in TCM internal medicine were significantly increased (all P  < 0.05). The experimental group scored better than the control group in the final practical skills exam, the first simulated exam, the second simulated exam, and the formal exam of the first stage medical history collection exam for the competence of TCM practitioners (all P  < 0.05). Conclusion The teaching method of medical history collection thinking training and inquiry skills supported by SP simulation teaching can improve students' ability to collect medical history and clinical thinking in TCM, and enhance their level of diagnosis in TCM.