EXPRESS: Application of the PDCA cycle combined with blended teaching in endocrinology internship training: effects on clinical competence and learning engagement

INTRODUCTION: Endocrinology internship teaching faces the challenge of integrating theoretical knowledge with complex clinical practice, necessitating innovative teaching models that enhance clinical competence and learning engagement. This study was designed to investigate the effects of the plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycle combined with a blended learning model in endocrinology internship teaching. METHODS: This study was a cluster-controlled study. One hundred intern doctors in the Department of Endocrinology were assigned to either an observation group or a control group according to their classes. The observation group received PDCA cycle-based blended learning, while the control group underwent traditional teaching. Departmental exit examination scores, incidence of medical adverse events, teaching effectiveness, doctor-patient communication skills, clinical thinking ability, and learning concentration were compared between the two groups. Normally distributed continuous variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Categorical data were expressed as n (%). RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the observation group scored higher in departmental exit examinations (theory, practical skills, and case analysis) and showed better teaching effectiveness, doctor-patient communication, and clinical thinking ability (particularly open-mindedness, truth-seeking, analytical ability, and systematization), as well as improved learning concentration (longer online learning duration, more frequent topic interactions, and greater discussion participation) (all P < 0.05). The overall incidence of medical adverse events (medication order errors, blood glucose monitoring errors, and dosage errors) was lower in the observation group (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: PDCA cycle-based blended learning improves teaching effectiveness, clinical competence, and learning concentration in endocrinology internship teaching, and demonstrates high teaching satisfaction.