Research Based Learning (RBL) is a brand new teaching mode implicated by Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine specifically designed for clinical undergraduates. The nature of RBL is about exploring unknown knowledge and designing and executing comprehensive experiments. RBL aims at creating an open

active student participation

and close student-mentor interaction teaching mode. RBL includes literature study

research aim selection

experiment design and implementation

statistical analysis

results and conclusions

final report writing and defense of the report. Our experience indicates that RBL can substantially improve students’ scientific logic and critical thinking and experimental skills

and develop the spirit of a team-player. This scientific training enables students to receive more comprehensive scientific training

facilitate their subsequent clinical research and practice

and assist them to participate in more international scientific exchanges. We propose that the RBL mode could be adopted for clinical student education in other universities.