Abstract: Objective To investigate the current situation of medical students' cognition and cultivation of medical students on medical leadership, providing the basis for the leadership cultivation and curriculum construction in medical colleges. Methods Taking medical students of Peking Union Medical College and one Chinese Medical College as the research objects, 256 valid data were collected through the network questionnaire, and the survey contents was conducted analysis statistically with descriptive study. Results The analysis result of survey data suggest that there is little difference between clinical and non-clinical students in the cognition of the importance of medical leadership. Peking Union Medical College achieved significant results in cultivation of medical leadership on the exploration and practice. In terms of medical leadership training and curriculum construction, it is suggested to adopt the form of practice-based or case study. Meanwhile, communication ability and the ability of organization and coordination are the abilities that need to be improved mostly. Conclusions The independent opinion and communication skill training for leadership in Peking Union Medical College should be extensively adopted by other medical schools. It is necessary to continuesly strengthen the training of medical leadership and construction of education courses focusing on the capacity building for communication, organization and team spirit and other core skills of medical leadership.

Key words: medical leadership, medical students, curriculum construction, medical education