Objective To investigate the humanistic care ability of medical students and to propose some suggestions for improvement. Methods A total of 388 medical students from a university in Shanghai were selected and surveyed by the Care Ability Inventory. Results The average score of humanistic care ability of medical students was 177.27±16.65. The total score and scores of understanding, patience, and encourage dimensions were lower than that of the international norms. Gender, exposure to the clinical medicine, major, and serving as class cadres are influencing factors of the humanistic care ability. The differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Educators should pay attention to the humanistic care ability of medical students and enhance the humanistic care education so as to improve their care consciousness and ability.