Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40903082›Full record

SynthesisBMJ open2025

Effects of standardised patients (SP) combined with case-based learning (CBL) in Chinese clinical education: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Zizhong Yu, Zhao Zhao, Xinyue Chen, Jiayi Shi, Yiting Liang, Xicheng Zhang, Mengjiao Qu, Meiyue Huang, Panpan Li, Dan Li and 2 more

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. The Effectiveness of a Simulation-Based Menopause Education Program.MedEdPORTAL : the journal of teaching and learning resources · 2026
    Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Zizhong YuDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Taihe Hospital, Shiyan, Hubei, China.
Zhao ZhaoDepartment of Vascular Surgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
Xinyue ChenSchool of Stomatology, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China.
Jiayi ShiSchool of Nursing, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China.
Yiting LiangFirst Clinical College, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China.
Xicheng ZhangSchool of Biomedical Engineering, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China.
Mengjiao QuFirst Clinical College, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China.
Meiyue HuangSecond Clinical College, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China.
Panpan LiFirst Clinical College, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China.
Dan LiClinical Molecular Diagnostic Center, Taihe Hospital, Shiyan, Hubei, China.
Man LiDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Taihe Hospital, Shiyan, Hubei, China.
Jinbo HeDepartment of Anesthesiology, Taihe Hospital, Shiyan, Hubei, China hejinbo1988@163.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0000-3247-6570

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesCombining standardised patients (SP) with case-based learning (CBL) enriches the learning experience by immersing learners in diverse clinical scenarios. This meta-analysis study aims to assess the intervention effects of this teaching approach on Chinese medical students' and resident physicians' teaching satisfaction, theoretical knowledge achievements and clinical practice performance.

designA systematic review and meta-analysis through Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 statement. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Education Resources Information Center, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database and the VIP Database from their inception up to 30 April 2025. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA : Included studies were randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing SP+CBL (experimental group) with lecture-based learning (LBL) (control group) among Chinese medical students and resident physicians, with outcomes including teaching satisfaction, theoretical knowledge scores and clinical practice performance. Non-English/non-Chinese studies, non-RCTs, duplicate publications, studies with incomplete data or irrelevant topics were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Two researchers (JS/XC) independently screened records. Disagreements were resolved by a third reviewer (ZZ). Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias 2.0 tool (ROB 2.0). Meta-analysis used Stata V.17.0. A random effects (RE) model was prespecified due to anticipated heterogeneity, final model selection RE or fixed effects was based on I

resultsA meta-analysis of 31 RCTs (n=2674), SP+CBL pedagogy outperformed traditional methods in three domains. Teaching satisfaction showed substantial improvement (OR 7.19, 95% CI 3.80 to 13.60, p<0.001; moderate GRADE evidence). Theoretical knowledge achievements increased significantly (MD 5.91, 95% CI 4.63 to 7.18, p<0.001; low GRADE evidence due to inconsistency). Clinical practice performance also improved significantly (MD=7.62, 95% CI 6.16 to 9.08, p<0.001; low GRADE evidence from inconsistency). All findings remained robust in sensitivity analyses. Further subgroup analyses revealed that the improvement in theoretical knowledge scores was more pronounced among medical students, while the enhancement in clinical performance was more significant among resident physicians.

conclusionsDespite some high outcomes heterogeneity stemming from unavoidable methodological constraints in education, our meta-analysis and systematic review of eligible literature demonstrate that integrating SP and CBL facilitates students and resident physicians in acquiring theoretical knowledge and practical skills. It also boosts teaching satisfaction and positively impacts Chinese clinical education. INPLASY REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202560118.

Indexed as

Clinical CompetenceEducation, MedicalPatient SimulationProblem-Based LearningChinaEast Asian PeopleHumansRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicStudents, Medicalclinical competenceeducation, medicaleducation & training (see medical education & training)

Identifiers

PMID40903082
PMCPMC12410676

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.