ObjectiveTo explore the abilities of thesis writing of postgraduate medical freshpeople and their factors, and provide a basis for postgraduate education and course design of thesis writing.MethodsA designed questionnaire was administered to postgraduate medical freshpeople enrolled in West China Medical School of Sichuan University in 2020. The general characteristics, current status of skills or experiences related to thesis writing, and abilities including literature retrieval and reading, statistical analysis, diagramming, research paper writing, and journal selection and submission of the postgraduates were collected in September 2020. Logical regression was conducted to analyze the factors affecting the abilities of thesis writing.ResultsA total of 503 valid questionnaires were collected. Over one half of the graduate students (58.3%) were satisfied with the ability of literature retrieval and reading, with the highest score among the five abilities [median (lower quartile, upper quartile) was 3 (2, 3)]. Less than 20% of the students were satisfied with the remaining four abilities, with the lowest scores in the abilities of diagramming, research paper writing, and journal selection and submission [each median (lower quartile, upper quartile) was 1 (1, 2)]. Research experience and acknowledge of reporting guidelines were independent factors for all abilities related to thesis writing (P<0.05). Proficiency in statistical software was an independent factor for the abilities of data statistical analysis, diagramming, research paper writing, and journal selection and submission (P<0.05). Having published scientific paper was an independent factor for ability of journal selection and submission [odds ratio=4.695, 95% confidence interval (2.166, 10.180), P<0.001].ConclusionsThe postgraduate medical freshpeople of West China Medical School are not satisfied with the ability of statistical analysis, diagramming, paper writing, or journal selection and submission. Attention should be paid to research practice and learning of reporting guidelines, while statistical courses and diagramming courses should be set up expressly.