ABSTRACT
Objective This paper explored the effect of the early clinical exposure in im-proving medical students' cognitive aspects of the doctor-patient relationship. Methods (1)From 280 undergraduate students of Grade 2010 who participated in early clinical exposure of Xi'an Jiaotong University College of Medicine and 280 undergraduate students of Grade 2011 who did not participate in the early clinical exposure, we selected 140 students respectively to conduct a simple random sam-pling survey. The results were analyzed by SPSS after using Microsoft Excellsoftware for entry. Statis-tical methods selected χ2-test/Fisher exact test(P<0.05). (2)We had an interview to students,teachers leading the project, instructor,experts engaging in the study of the doctor-patient relationship by using focus group discussion and in-depth interview, and then using thematic analysis to analyze the data. (3)The main aspects of questionnaires and interviews were: details, activity participation/interest, general cognitive on the doctor-patient relationship, passion for profession, choice of career, the effect in improving medical students' cognitive aspects of the doctor-patient relationship and the suggestions and comments. Results The effective questionnaires collected from Grade 2010 were 134, and124 from Grade 2011.The participation rate of the undergraduates of Grade 2010(participating group) was 94.0%(126/134), while the interest rate of undergraduates of Grade 2011 (control group) was only 76.6%(95/124). Participating group had a better cognitive understanding of doctor-patient relationship than control group(P=0.0192). The activities had significant effects on choice of career(P=0.0002), and no effect on passion for profession(P=0.7372). There was statistically significant difference on their views of employment(P=0.0002). The key words for the interview were: not enough preparation before activity, not reasonable timing, teachers leading the project, stimulation of professional pride. Conclusions Early clinical exposure activities can be effective in improving medical students' awareness of the current doctor-patient relationship. Still we have some shortages in the activity, some more exploration and amelioration should be made in late stage.