Abstract: Objective To investigate the learning outcome of curriculum design and clinical scenarios discussion implemented in teaching medical students before clinical probation. Methods Students just before initiation of clinical training were induced into some simulated clinical dilemma situations or emergencies created by SPs. After their practice, teachers evaluated their operation those to comprehend communication skills and proper responses through group discussion. Then, used questionnaire and in-depth interview to assess the design of curriculum and outcome. Results 72% of subjects believed that the appropriate range of students’ number in each discussion group is 8~15; After clinical probation, 97.1% of subjects identified the effect of this clinical scenarios discussion; The rate of subjects who thought they were benefited from this curriculum in terms of skills of communication, right responses to emergencies and improved confidence to face patients is 86.8%, 92.7% and 94. 3%, respectively. Conclusions The implementation of clinical scenarios discussion before clinical probation was effective on improving the medical students’ communication skills and ability of right responses to clinical dilemma situations or emergencies and thus facilitated clinical probation.

Key words: scenarios discussion, medical education, standardized patients (SP)