Bridging Basic and Clinical Medicine: A Combi-Method Approach to Pathophysiology Education

Background: Pathophysiology bridges basic and clinical sciences, offering essential insights into disease mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment. However, lecture-based learning remains predominant in China, often lacking dynamic evaluation systems. In alignment with the "Healthy China 2030" initiative, innovative methods such as problem-based learning (PBL), case-based learning (CBL), team-based learning (TBL), and seminar are increasingly explored to enhance integrated and competency-based medical education. Methods: Sixty third-year clinical medicine students were randomly assigned to either a traditional instruction group or a Combi-Method group following a standardized preclass exam. The Combi-Method integrated PBL, CBL, TBL, and seminars. Instruction was based on real-world clinical cases. Knowledge acquisition was assessed through a postclass quiz, including multiple-choice, short-answer, and case study questions on renal, pulmonary, and hepatic insufficiency. Results: The 2 groups exhibited comparable baseline characteristics in age, gender, and preclass scores. The Combi-Method group achieved significantly higher scores in several domains, particularly in renal and pulmonary insufficiency, and demonstrated superior clinical reasoning and knowledge application. Although some areas showed no statistical difference, the overall performance favored the Combi-Method. Conclusions: The Combi-Method proves to be an effective instructional model for pathophysiology, promoting deeper understanding, enhanced clinical reasoning, and knowledge integration. This approach aligns with the goals of competency-based medical education and supports its broader adoption in undergraduate medical curricula.