Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of the 2-week community internship. MethodsFrom May to June 2016, by self-controlled study,155 clinical medicine undergraduates were investigated before and after the internship by questionnaire at 6 community internship bases of Capital Medical University in 5 Beijing districts. The questionnaire content included demographics of students, participation of internship content, cognition and attitude towards general practice before and after internship. The results were analyzed by paired t-test and multiple linear regression. ResultsOne hundred and forty-five questionnaires were sent out before the internship, 153 after the internship, and 139 valid questionnaires were returned. It showed that, after the internship, students perception on general practice is higher than before(t=－2.241, P=0.008), and the attitude towards general practice has not changed(t=－1.838,P=0.082). The number of internship types affected students cognition of general practice. ConclusionThe community internship during undergraduate period could enhance clinical medical students perception of general practice, but there is no significant change in their attitude towards general practice. To further improve the effect of community internship, universities should continue to perfect the community internship content, extend the time of internship, and strengthen the construction of teaching staff.

Key words: general practice, undergraduates, community health centers, community practice