Impact of a combined case-based and evidence-based medicine teaching approach in traditional Chinese orthopedic residency training: a single-center, retrospective educational study.

Background: This single-center, retrospective study explored the effectiveness of case-based teaching combined with evidence-based medicine-based teaching in traditional Chinese orthopedic residency training to provide a theoretical basis for developing clinical training programs in traditional Chinese orthopedics. Methods: This retrospective study included 102 orthopedic residents undergoing residency training in traditional Chinese orthopedics at our hospital from January 2022 to December 2024. All data were obtained from the hospital management information system and were divided into a traditional group ( Results: The combined group outperformed the traditional group in both theoretical and practical examination scores. After the training, the combined group scored higher than the traditional group in critical thinking ability assessments related to analytical thinking, systematic thinking, open-mindedness, curiosity, self-confidence, pursuit of truth, and cognitive maturity, as well as in overall scores. The self-practice ability scores in self-expression ability, self-learning ability, self-cultivated interest, teamwork ability, innovative adaptability, and clinical diagnostic and therapeutic ability were higher than those of the traditional group. Additionally, the teaching quality scores and total scores in learning interest, learning ability, learning attitude, learning thinking, and operational proficiency were also higher than those of the traditional group, with statistically significant differences ( Conclusion: The combination of case-based teaching and evidence-based medicine-based teaching in traditional Chinese medicine orthopedic residency training enhances teaching effectiveness, improves students' critical thinking skills, self-learning abilities, and teaching quality.