Application of artificial intelligence in medical education: A meta-ethnographic synthesis

Med Teach. 2024 Oct 31:1-14. doi: 10.1080/0142159X.2024.2418936. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

With the advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI), it has had a profound impact on medical education. Understanding the advantages and issues of AI in medical education, providing guidance for educators, and overcoming challenges in the implementation process is particularly important.

The objective of this study is to explore the current state of AI applications in medical education.

A systematic search was conducted across databases such as PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science to identify relevant studies. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) was employed for the quality assessment of these studies, followed by thematic synthesis to analyze the themes from the included research.

Ultimately, 21 studies were identified, establishing four themes: (1) Shaping the Future: Current Trends in AI within Medical Education; (2) Advancing Medical Instruction: The Transformative Power of AI; (3) Navigating the Ethical Landscape of AI in Medical Education; (4) Fostering Synergy: Integrating Artificial Intelligence in Medical Curriculum.

Artificial intelligence's role in medical education, while not yet extensive, is impactful and promising. Despite challenges, including ethical concerns over privacy, responsibility, and humanistic care, future efforts should focus on integrating AI through targeted courses to improve educational quality.

Keywords: Artificial intelligence; medical education; meta-synthesis.