Objective To optimize the medical humanities training course in postgraduate medical education. Methods From 2018 to 2020, based on instructional system design (ISD) model of the “analyze-design-exploit-implement-assess” 5 steps, the current situation and existing problems were analyzed through literature review, and the postgraduate trainees’ cognitions and demands for the training course were surveyed. According to the content of the questionnaire, the curriculum was designed and implemented, and the curriculum satisfaction survey was conducted. Results A total of 532 postgraduate trainees participated in the cognitions and demands questionnaire survey, and the postgraduate trainees had high demands for humanistic training courses (88.53%). A total of 827 postgraduate trainees participated in the curriculum satisfaction survey. The trainees’ satisfaction to the training courses was more than 90%. Conclusion The medical humanities training courses based on ISD model get good results, which can provide a useful reference for the curriculum design of medical humanities education in each stage.