Objective To explore the effect of team-based learning (TBL) method in the medical imaging internship for eight-year medical students. Methods A controlled trial method was adopted. In March 2021 and December 2022, a total of 56 eight-year medical students were enrolled in 2018 and 2020 of Peking University Health Science Center who participated in the internship course in the Radiology Department of Peking University Third Hospital were selected as research subjects through convenience sampling. All students were randomly divided into experimental group(n=28) and control group (n=28) using the online tool random.org. The experimental group students used TBL teaching method, while the control group students used traditional teaching method. The knowledge acquisition ability, film reading reasoning ability and final exam and student satisfaction questionnaire survey were used to evaluate the teaching effect. The independent sample t-test or chi square test were used for statistical analyses. Results There was no significant difference in knowledge acquisition ability, film reading reasoning ability and final exam scores between students in the two teaching modes [For instance,the score of knowledge acquisition ability,(108.05±7.07) vs. (106.07±5.17),all P>0.05]. The students score of experimental group in group discussions and the effectiveness of peer learning were better than the control group [(102.35±4.11) vs. (96.37±7.03), P=0.006; (98.01±7.09) vs. (93.27±6.09), P=0.014], the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusions The application of TBL teaching method in medical imaging internship teaching can help to improve student participation and peer learning effect.