Evolution and reform of Medical Microbiology education in New Medical Science era

Objectives Medical Microbiology is a cornerstone of medical education. Under the guidance of the “New Medical Science” concept, curriculum reform is imperative. This study aims to identify learning gaps, design innovative teaching strategies, and conduct rigorous evaluation of the reform effectiveness. Methods This study analyzed challenges in student courses and proposed innovations: updating course objectives; reconstructing content to integrate scientific thinking, One Health concepts, and infectious disease prevention; adopting a blended approach that combines lectures with discussions, foundational knowledge with cutting-edge research, and online with offline materials; and implementing a developmental, diversified evaluation system. Results The reforms proved highly effective. Students showed marked academic improvement, particularly in knowledge application, as well as enhanced critical and systematic thinking skills. Furthermore, their interest and ability in research grew, and they gained a deeper understanding of the key role of microbiological literacy in preventing and managing infectious diseases in clinical settings. Conclusions This innovative Medical Microbiology curriculum reform, guided by the “New Medical Science” paradigm, adopted a student-centered approach through content and pedagogical innovation. The success of this approach provides a valuable framework for transforming foundational medical education.