Purpose: This study was to report our experience of the brief survey for teaching journal writing by medical students in a clinical curriculum of family medicine. Methods: Brief surveys performed by medical students in clinical clerkship of department of family medicine from 1998 to 2000. Medical students determined theme without rein for brief surveys. Lecture about meaning and process of survey was given for sufficient understanding of students, and then surveys were conducted. The subjects of survey were outpatients, nursing person, medical students, nursing students, and other general persons. The subjects of theme were classified to 17 chapters 7 components by international classification of primary care (ICPC). Results: In analysis of brief surveys according to ICPC, the reasons for surveys by components were diagnostic, screening prevention (89.0%), treatment, procedures, medication (5.7%), symptoms, complaints (5.3%). By chapters, there were social (64.6%), psychological (12.6%), metabolic and endocrine (6.5%). Among social problems, there were other social problem (35.4%), health care system/access (20.9%), problem with education (13.9%), relation problems partner (12.7%). Majority of medical students had affirmative response for survey conduction. In conclusion, our finding suggest that teaching journal writing as brief survey seems to be useful in understanding of journal writing of medical students.