Comparing Chinese and American textbooks of internal medicine for case-based learning

The combination of clinical cases and theoretical knowledge is a distinctive feature of the medical textbooks designed for case-based learning (CBL), which clearly benefits medical students by improving their motivation and clinical reasoning skills. A variety of CBL textbooks have been published worldwide, each with its unique feature. It is vital to compile, revise and select an ideal textbook for Chinese medical students. To explore the essential characteristics of a textbook that caters best for them, the present study compared the Chinese and American CBL textbooks of internal medicine and conducted a survey among Chinese medical students. We hope our efforts will be conducive to the advancement of medical education in China. Key words: Case-based learning; Textbook; Internal medicine; American; Chinese; Comparison