ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the effect of direct observation of procedural skills (DOPS) in teaching acupuncture manipulation skills. Methods Sophomores of acupuncture and Tuina spe-ciality were divided into two groups based on their classes, 36 students in experimental group and 31 in control group. In experimental group, DOPS on filiform needling was done twice in the middle and at the end of the semester respectively. In control group, DOPS was done once at the end of semester. The final exam's DOPS score and satisfaction degree of teachers and students concerning the results of the assessment in two groups were compared by independent samples t-test. P<0.05 indicates signifi-cant differences. The teaching effect of DOPS was also evaluated by questionnaire survey of students in experimental group. Results The total score of DOPS (4.26 ±0.24), scores of needle insertion (4.18±0.42), and scores of reinforcing and reducing method (4.03±0.28) in experimental group were higher than those in control group ((4.14±0.25), (4.00±0.29) and (3.87±0.37), P<0.05). The teachers' satisfaction (8.38±0.51) and students' satisfaction (8.47±1.03) concerning the results of the assessment in experimental group were higher than those in control group ((8.05±0.78) and (7.94±1.15), P<0.05). More than 80% of students in experimental group supported the saying of‘DOPS promoting students' skills training and enhancing the ability of handwork ’ . Conclusions DOPS can be used as an effective teaching and examination method and can improve students' skills of acupuncture manipulation.