ObjectivesTo compare the role of problem-based learning (PBL) combined with team-based learning (TBL) methods with traditional lecture-based learning in the clinical probation teaching of bone tumor and explore which teaching method is more suitable for clinical probation teaching of bone tumor.MethodsThe 60 students of the 2013 grade five-year program medical students in West China Clinical College of Sichuan University who were undergoing clinical probation teaching in the orthopedic bone tumor subspecialty of West China Hospital of Sichuan University in April 2017 were randomly divided into 2 groups. The trial group adopted PBL combined with TBL teaching method, the control group adopted traditional teaching method. The general situation of the two groups of students were compared. After the end of the probation, the two groups of students’ knowledge mastery, comprehensive ability and satisfaction were compared.ResultsThere was no significant difference in the gender composition and the assessment scores of the last semester diagnostics course of the two groups of students (P>0.05). After the probation, in terms of knowledge mastery, the trial group’s theoretical test scores (89.13±3.47 vs. 87.03±2.99; t=2.511, P=0.015), teacher evaluation (88.33±4.48 vs. 85.90±3.96; t=2.231, P=0.030) and student evaluation (89.83±2.97 vs. 87.47±2.91; t=3.117, P=0.003) were better than those of the control group. In terms of comprehensive ability, the trial group’s ability in reasoning and induction, information management, goal completion, and communication (17.90±1.09, 18.00±0.91, 18.00±1.02, 17.90±1.13) were better than those of the control group (17.20±1.13, 17.13±1.20, 17.10±1.24, 16.83±1.29), the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in satisfaction between the two groups of students (P>0.05).ConclusionsPBL combined with TBL methods can improve the effect of clinical probation of bone tumors, deepen mastery of professional knowledge, improve comprehensive ability, and improve teaching quality.