To determine the efficacy of clinical skills teaching using a DVD-based teaching medium (interventional group) compared with the traditional, four-step, face-to-face approach (control group). The clinical skill selected for the study was that of paediatric intraosseous (IO) needle insertion. Thirty-six candidates who had no exposure to IO needle insertion experience within the past 12 months were randomly allocated into two groups. The interventional group (n = 18) was shown a 10 min instructional DVD and then allowed 10 min each to practise IO insertion with a paediatric training mannequin. The control group (n = 18) was given a 20 min, four-step, face-to-face teaching session with practical exposure and individual use of an IO needle on a training mannequin facilitated by an instructor. Each candidate was assessed using a checklist of critical steps for successful IO needle insertion and given a score out of 10. A modified Likert score reflecting candidates' subjective perceptions of the whole experience was completed after the test. The interventional group obtained a mean score of 7.56 (SD 1.65) and the control teaching group a mean score of 6.00 (SD 1.84). The mean difference was -1.56 (P < 0.01, 95% CI -2.74 to -0.37). There was no difference in the candidates' perception on the satisfaction, anxiety and confidence level about the teaching experience. The study suggests that the use of instructional DVD for clinical skills teaching results in improved learning outcomes compared with the traditional face-to-face didactic teaching method.