Objective To explore the effect of case-based learning combined with surgical observation teaching on teaching satisfaction and CTDI-CV score of general practitioners specializing in dermatology. Methods A total of 60 general practitioners specializing in dermatology at the Central Hospital of Yongzhou from January 2023 to January 2025 were selected as the research subjects, and they were divided into the control group and the observation group by the random number table method, with 30 general practitioners in each group. The control group was given traditional teaching method, and the observation group was given case-based learning combined with surgical observation teaching on the basis of traditional teaching method. The teaching examination scores, teaching satisfaction and CTDI-CV score were compared between the two groups. Results The scores of theoretical examination and skill operation examination in the observation group after teaching were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The teaching satisfaction of the observation group was better than that of the control group (P<0.05). The CTDI-CV scores of the observation group after teaching were higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion In the rotation training of general practitioners specializing in dermatology, the combination of case-based learning and surgical observation teaching can effectively improve the theoretical examination scores and clinical thinking ability of students, and achieve higher teaching satisfaction.