⚡ Quick Summary
This scoping review explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in undergraduate medical education (UME), highlighting the need for a standardized curriculum that emphasizes ethical training and digital competence. The findings reveal significant global discrepancies in AI curriculum development and implementation.
🔍 Key Details
- 📊 Studies Reviewed: 34 studies from diverse regions
- 🧩 Focus Areas: Curriculum development, student competency, institutional barriers
- ⚙️ Methodology: Thematic analysis of articles published from 2019 onwards
- 🌍 Languages: English and Spanish publications only
🔑 Key Takeaways
- 📚 AI integration in UME is essential for preparing future physicians.
- ⚖️ Ethical training is a critical component of AI education.
- 🤝 Collaborative learning enhances student competency in using AI technologies.
- 💻 Digital competence is necessary for effective AI application in clinical settings.
- 🌐 Global discrepancies exist in AI curriculum frameworks across regions.
- 🔄 Transversal skills should be prioritized over treating AI as a standalone subject.
- 📈 Further research is needed to develop culturally relevant AI frameworks.
📚 Background
The integration of artificial intelligence in healthcare has significantly transformed clinical practices and medical education. However, there remains a notable gap in adequately preparing future physicians to utilize these technologies effectively and ethically. As AI continues to evolve, it is crucial to ensure that medical education keeps pace with these advancements.
🗒️ Study
This scoping review aimed to map the integration of AI in undergraduate medical education by analyzing 34 studies published since 2019. The researchers focused on curriculum development, enhancement of student competencies, and the institutional barriers that hinder the adoption of AI in medical training.
📈 Results
The review revealed a lack of standardized AI curriculum frameworks across various institutions. Key elements identified as essential for effective AI education included ethical training, collaborative learning, and digital competence. The emphasis on transversal skills indicates a need for AI to be embedded within interdisciplinary, patient-centered frameworks rather than treated as a separate subject.
🌍 Impact and Implications
The findings of this review underscore the importance of developing a standardized, adaptable AI curriculum in undergraduate medical education. By prioritizing ethical awareness and digital competence, institutions can better prepare future healthcare professionals to integrate AI technologies into their practice. This balanced approach fosters a more comprehensive understanding of AI as a tool that enhances patient care rather than a standalone entity.
🔮 Conclusion
This scoping review highlights the critical need for a cohesive and standardized approach to AI integration in medical education. By embedding AI within a framework that emphasizes ethical training and digital skills, we can ensure that future physicians are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of technology in healthcare. Continued research and collaboration are essential to develop frameworks that align with diverse cultural and educational needs.
💬 Your comments
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Mapping the use of artificial intelligence in medical education: a scoping review.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare has transformed clinical practices and medical education, with technologies like diagnostic algorithms and clinical decision support increasingly incorporated into curricula. However, there is still a gap in preparing future physicians to use these technologies effectively and ethically.
OBJECTIVE: This scoping review maps the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in undergraduate medical education (UME), focusing on curriculum development, student competency enhancement, and institutional barriers to AI adoption.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive search in PubMed, Scopus, and BIREME included articles from 2019 onwards, limited to English and Spanish publications on AI in UME. Exclusions applied to studies focused on postgraduate education or non-medical fields. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify patterns in AI curriculum development and implementation.
RESULTS: A total of 34 studies were reviewed, representing diverse regions and methodologies, including cross-sectional studies, narrative reviews, and intervention studies. Findings revealed a lack of standardized AI curriculum frameworks and notable global discrepancies. Key elements such as ethical training, collaborative learning, and digital competence were identified as essential, with an emphasis on transversal skills that support AI as a tool rather than a standalone subject.
CONCLUSIONS: This review underscores the need for a standardized, adaptable AI curriculum in UME that prioritizes transversal skills, including digital competence and ethical awareness, to support AI’s gradual integration. Embedding AI as a practical tool within interdisciplinary, patient-centered frameworks fosters a balanced approach to technology in healthcare. Further regional research is recommended to develop frameworks that align with cultural and educational needs, ensuring AI integration in UME promotes both technical and ethical competencies.
Author: [‘Rincón EHH’, ‘Jimenez D’, ‘Aguilar LAC’, ‘Flórez JMP’, ‘Tapia ÁER’, ‘Peñuela CLJ’]
Journal: BMC Med Educ
Citation: Rincón EHH, et al. Mapping the use of artificial intelligence in medical education: a scoping review. Mapping the use of artificial intelligence in medical education: a scoping review. 2025; 25:526. doi: 10.1186/s12909-025-07089-8