To investigate and analyze the characteristics of medical undergraduate students learning in different types of medical schools and different school systems in China.

Based on the data of China medical student survey in 2019, the characteristics of clinical medical undergraduates in China were statistically analyzed in three aspects as entrance, education process and outcomes, the differences were analyzed in two dimensions as college type and school system type.

The results showed that 74.5% (7 497/10 062) undergraduates were enrolled matching the first choice as clinical medicine, 72.3% (7 271/10 062) of them had a clear career plan at that moment, and 86.9% (8 748/10 062) of them expressed their occupation willingness as a clinical doctor in the future. The ratio of urban vs. rural origin of newly enrolled students of the eight-year program, seven-year program, and five-year program were 78.9%(747/947)vs. 21.1%(200/947), 65.8%(1 042/1 583)vs. 34.2%(541/1 583) and 62.4%(4 698/7 532)vs. 37.6% (2 834/7 532)] respectively, the proportion of undergraduates with published papers [49.5%(469/947), 43.5%(689/1 583), 34.4%(2 589/7 532)] among the three programs were statistically significant (allP<0.01). Clinical undergraduates scored 3.89±0.80 points in regular learning behavior and 5.90±2.17 points in clinical capacity.

Compared with undergraduates of other disciplines in the country, the proportion of clinical medicine undergraduates enrolled by first choice is significantly higher, and the career development path is clearer. Students joining in the long-term curriculum have significant advantages in family background, research participation and paper publication. The active learning behavior of clinical medical students is relatively insufficient, and it is necessary to strengthen the capacity building in science and academic attitude, health and society and professionalism.

Clinical medicine; Undergraduate students; Characteristics; China medical student survey