Objective To explore the application of SPOC (small private online course) combined with RBL (research-based learning) in surgical internship training during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods In May 2020 and August 2021,a total of 194 students in the 2017 and 2018 clinical medicine majors of Air Force Military Medical University who received clinical training in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University were selected as the research objects.Students in the 2018 class were used as the experimental group to implement the SPOC combined RBL teaching method; 2017 students were used as the control group and implemented the traditional teaching method. After the probation, the two groups of students were given theoretical examinations and questionnaires. The t-test was used to compare the scores between the two groups and χ² test was used to compare the results of questionnaire survey from the groups. Results Compared with the results from classic teaching group, the scores of theory test from SPOC plus RBL group are better (P=0.047). In subjective case study questions, the scores of SPOC plus RBL group are significantly higher than those from the classic teaching group (P=0.037). The results of the questionnaire survey showed that the students in the experimental group were better than those in the control group in terms of learning interest and innovation ability [87.5% (84/96) vs. 56.1% (55/98), 69.8% (67/96) vs. 32.7% (32/98), all P<0.001]. Conclusions The hybrid model of SPOC plus RBL can effectively improve the learning outcomes and stimulate students' learning enthusiasm and attitude of active study.