Objective　To investigate the effects of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) teaching in clinical education of the five-year undergraduates. Methods　50 undergraduate clinical interns were divided randomly into the experimental group and control group. The experimental group was applied with traditional method combined with VATS

and the interns studied the radical operation of lung cancer under thoracoscopy

while the control group was applied with traditional method. After the course

all students accepted theory and clinical examination

and a questionnaire survey was conducted. SPSS 18.0 was used for statistical analysis

and t-test was adopted for theoretical and clinical examination results. Questionnaire survey was conducted by chi-square test. Results　①Theory test: compared with control group

the scores of case analysis [(38.92±2.50) vs. (34.56±3.10)] and total scores [(79.92±4.04) vs. (74.64±4.82)] were improved (P<0.05). ②Clinical test: compared with control group

the scores of experimental group [(82.86±4.46) vs. (76.04±4.78)] were improved (P<0.05). ③Questionnaire survey: there was statistical difference between the two groups in promoting the interest in learning

improving the comprehension of knowledge and approving of the teaching method used (P<0.05). Conclusion　VATS teaching method has positive effect on clinical education of the five-year undergraduates

and it should be worthy of extending.