Objective To investigate the effect of problem-based learning(PBL) combined with traditional teaching in the teaching of electrocardiogram (ECG) diagnosis. Methods Totally 80 2011 grade clinical medicine students were enrolled and randomly divided into study group and regular group. Traditional teaching method was implemented in regular group while PBL com-bined with traditional teaching was applied in study group. Effect was observed;measurement data were analyzed by independent samples t test and were expressed as mean ± standard deviation x±s;enumeration data were analyzed by χ2 test. P<0.05 signifies statistical differences. Results Satisfaction degree of students towards teachers was 95.0%(38/40) in study group and was 80.0%(32/40) in regular group with statistical significances between two groups(P=0.001). Satisfaction degree of students towards teaching method was 100 . 0%( 40/40 ) in study group and was 87 . 5%(35/40) in regular group with statistical significances between two groups (P=0.000). Operating skills, theoretical knowledge and ECG analysis capabilities scores were significantly higher in study group than in regular group with statistical differences(P=0.012, P=0.021, P=0.016). Conclusions Implementing PBL teaching combined with traditional teaching can achieve significantly better teaching effect than traditional teaching, therefore it is worthy of application and promotion.