Cultivating high-level medical professionals with research competence and innovative thinking is a key issue in modern medical education, particularly in the field of basic medical sciences. Traditional lecture-based models focus on theoretical knowledge but often fail to provide authentic research engagement opportunities, which are crucial for developing scientific inquiry and critical thinking. This study proposes and implements the "research-driven course" concept in a graduate immunology course at Harbin Medical University. The aim is to enhance students' research skills and innovative thinking through a research topic-driven teaching model, which combines theoretical learning with practical research applications. The curriculum reform involved a comprehensive redesign of the curriculum structure, teaching methods, learning strategies, and assessments. Students selected research topics related to current immunological advancements and, under faculty mentorship, first constructed a knowledge framework in immunology based on these topics. Following this, students engaged in literature reviews, peer discussions, and presentations. The course integrated Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and seminar-style teaching, with assessments including seminar presentations, written assignments, and group discussions to evaluate both students' theoretical knowledge and research competencies. The reform significantly improved students' mastery of immunological knowledge and research abilities. Students demonstrated enhanced critical thinking and innovation skills, improving their ability to design original and feasible research topics. Their academic writing and problem-solving skills also showed significant improvement. Notably, student participation increased, and there was a marked rise in independent learning and engagement in research activities. Students reported stronger connections between theoretical knowledge and practical research applications. Additionally, students' overall competencies improved, particularly in time management and academic expression. This research topic-driven curriculum reform effectively bridged the gap between theoretical knowledge and research practice, significantly enhancing students' research competence, critical thinking, and innovation. The model significantly increased student engagement, promoted independent learning, and provides a transferable framework for curriculum reforms in other foundational medical disciplines.
Xing et al. (Fri,) studied this question.