Objective To utilize the teaching method of fostering internal drive within the practice of physical diagnosis in the field of optometry & optometry and to evaluate its effectiveness. Methods In physical diagnosis practice courses of ophthalmology & optometry, students were encouraged to gradually enhance their motivation according to the level of "internal drive degree - discovery degree - activity degree - value degree - honor degree". The theoretical and practical assessment scores of ophthalmology & optometry and "5+3" integrated clinical medicine students in physical diagnosis were analyzed. Results The theoretical examination score for physical diagnosis among ophthalmology & optometry students was (87.06 ± 10.38) points, while their practical assessment score was (91.66 ± 4.48) points. For the "5+3" integrated clinical medicine program, the theoretical examination score was (86.3±7.98) points, and the practical assessment score was (91.38 ± 5.03) points. There were no significant differences in the theoretical examination and practical assessment scores between the two majors (P＞0.05). Conclusion By fostering student internal drive in physical diagnosis practice courses, the teaching effectiveness of ophthalmology & optometry students was found to be comparable to that of "5+3" integrated clinical medicine students.