Abstract: Objective To explore the design, implementation, and feedback of the innovative module "Whole Process of Medical Behavior"of the competency based early clinical exposure course for eight-year medical students. Methods A total of 68 undergraduate students of the 2022 clinical medicine eight year program from School of Medicine Tsinghua University and 10 clinical teachers were involved in the early clinical exposure course. "Whole Process of Medical Behavior"module was designed based on core competencies and needs assessment of the medical students. Both outpatient and inpatient clinical practice was observed. Rational module objectives were developed. Active teaching methods were adopted. Humanity education and system based practice were emphasized. The curriculum was preliminarily assessed by formal interviews with both clinical teachers and students and after-class summaries. Results Students believed that this module provided them with a preliminary understanding of medical behavior, clinical thinking, medical ethics, and systems-based practice. Clinical experience will be recalled and connected with future theretical learning, and help culture learning interest and self-directed learning ability. Compared with the previous extensive clinical early exposure courses, the teachers believed that the refined "Whole Process of Medical Behavior"module had detailed objectives, specific focuses, inevitably with more manpower demand. The module allowed in-depth student-student and teacher-student communication, and was expected to help develop core competency by stimulating interest, improving learning efficiency, and enhancing leadership. Conclusions The module "Whole Process of Medical Behavior"conforms to the goal of competency-oriented medical education, and can provide reference for the design of clinical exposure courses in medical colleges.

Key words: Clinical medicine, Eight-year program, Early clinical contact, Humanities course, Competency-based education