Objective To explore the application effect of flipped classroom teaching method based on small private online course (SPOC) in the teaching of advanced cardiovascular life support in emergency department.Methods In September 2019, Ninety-eight undergraduates of eight-year program of clinical medicine enrolled in 2014 from Sun Yat-sen University were randomly divided into experimental group and control group with 49 in each. The experimental group adopts the flipped classroom teaching method based on SPOC, while the control group adopts the traditional teaching method. Through the theoretical test results of two groups of students, the scores and questionnaire results of the simulation exercise of advanced cardiovascular life support cases, the teaching effect was evaluated.Results The theoretical knowledge test scores of the experimental group were significantly higher than that of the control group [(83.18±1.71) vs (77.47±1.49)], P<0.01. No significant difference was found in individual performance [(67.55±1.67) vs (63.88±2.30)] and team performance [(67.76±1.12) vs (66.63±2.13)](all P>0.05).In terms of increasing learning initiative and enthusiasm, the satisfaction of students between the experimental group and the control group to their respective teaching methods was compared [81.6% (40/49) vs 16.3% (8/49)], the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).Conclusions The flipped classroom teaching method based on SPOC improve the test results of theoretical knowledge of advanced cardiovascular life support, and get high evaluation from students, but it has no obvious impact on the examination results of students' case simulation exercise. How to use this teaching method to guide students to apply theoretical knowledge to practice still needs further research.