Cited by 145Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and EducationInnovations in Medical EducationArtificial Intelligence in Education

Mapping the use of artificial intelligence in medical education: a scoping review

Open access
Rincón, Erwin Hernando Hernández, Jimenez, Daniel, Aguilar, Lizeth Alexandra Chavarro, Flórez, Juan Miguel Pérez, Tapia, Álvaro Enrique Romero, Peñuela, Claudia Liliana Jaimes·2025·BMC Medical Education

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.

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Crossref · 10.1186/s12909-025-07089-8

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53 of 53 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Global South students report substantially less AI integration in curricula and lower preparedness levels.

    “Global South students report substantially less AI integration in curricula and lower preparedness levels (Busch et al., 2024; Rincón et al., 2025).”

    From Reimagining writing assessment for the AI era: a systematic review on balancing AI support and authentic skill growth (2026) · cites this paper as Rincón et al., 2025

    The Discussion sections on global discrepancies and regional barriers describe less exposure to interdisciplinary AI applications in Nigeria and more limited access to AI educational tools in low- and middle-income countries. They do not establish that Global South students themselves report substantially less curricular integration or lower preparedness than students elsewhere; the Results also report Canadian students feeling unprepared. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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  • Formal longitudinal AI teaching in emergency medicine is uncommon.

    “Formal longitudinal AI teaching is uncommon,26, 27, 28,36, 37, 38, 39”

    From Artificial Intelligence Readiness in Emergency Medicine: Expert Consensus Opinion for Preparing the Workforce (2026) · cites this paper as [38]

    The Introduction says AI integration into medical curricula remains insufficient, and the Discussion section on curriculum delivery describes a lack of standardized AI education. That supports the broad point that formal AI teaching is not well established. The review focuses on undergraduate medical education, however, and does not establish that longitudinal teaching is uncommon specifically in emergency medicine; its mention of scarce longitudinal studies concerns evaluation, not teaching duration. No page numbers are provided in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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  • Limited curricular time, scarce faculty expertise, and competing priorities leave a readiness gap in AI education.

    “limited curricular time, scarce faculty expertise, and competing priorities leave a readiness gap.27, 28, 29,36, 37, 38, 39”

    From Artificial Intelligence Readiness in Emergency Medicine: Expert Consensus Opinion for Preparing the Workforce (2026) · cites this paper as [38]

    The Introduction (page unavailable) describes a gap in AI education that leaves future clinicians underprepared. The Discussion’s sections on faculty readiness and training deficits (pages unavailable) identify limited faculty AI training as a barrier. The passages do not identify limited curricular time or competing priorities as causes of that gap. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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  • More and more AI-based solutions are being integrated into emergency department workflows.

    “more and more AI-based solutions are being integrated into emergency department (ED) workflows,22,23,38,40”

    From Artificial Intelligence Readiness in Emergency Medicine: Expert Consensus Opinion for Preparing the Workforce (2026) · cites this paper as [38]

    The Introduction says AI is increasingly used in clinical decision-making, including diagnostic imaging, predictive analytics, and patient management. It does not say that AI-based solutions are increasingly being integrated into emergency department workflows; the review focuses on medical education rather than that clinical setting. (LLM, conf=0.83)

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  • The mismatch between foundational AI knowledge and practice realities raises concern about patient safety.

    “this mismatch in foundational knowledge and practice realities raises concern about patient safety.20,22,23,27,38,40”

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Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. [1]World Health Organization (WHO). WHO guideline: recommendations on digital interventions for health system strengthening: evidence and recommendations. [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2019. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241550505. 31162915
  2. [18]Nordin MN Bin, Maidin SS, Rajoo M, Mahmod M, Jani WNFA, Yusoh MP, et al. International Frameworks For 21st century competences: comparative education. Res Militaris. 2022;12(2):7332–44.
  3. [34]Sharma V, Saini U, Pareek V, Sharma L, Kumar S. Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration in medical education: a pan-India cross-sectional observation of acceptance and understanding among students. Scripta Medica (Banja Luka). 2023;54(4):343–52.
  4. [55]Lazarus MD, Truong M, Douglas P, Selwyn N. Artificial intelligence and clinical anatomical education: promises and perils. Anat Sci Educ. 2024;17(2):249–62. 36030525 · DOI · Paper page

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Authors
Rincón, E. H. H., Jimenez, D., Aguilar, L. A. C., Flórez, J. M. P., Tapia, Á. E. R., & Peñuela, C. L. J.
Affiliations
Universidad de La Sabana (CO)
Corresponding author
Rincón, Erwin Hernando Hernández
Venue
BMC Medical Education
Published
2025-04-12
Volume
25
Issue
1
Pages
526-526
ISSN
1472-6920 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4409390925
Cited by
145
References
53
Citations by year
2026: 102 · 2025: 43
FWCI
8.57
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • BMC Medical Education (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
Universidad de La Sabana (MED-342-2023)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Health Informatics › Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and Education
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Innovations in Medical Education
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Information Systems › Artificial Intelligence in Education
Keywords
artificial intelligence in medical education, undergraduate medical education, digital skills, AI ethics education, transversal competences, clinical decision support, AI adoption barriers
MeSH terms
Artificial Intelligence, Clinical Competence, Curriculum, Education, Medical, Undergraduate, Humans

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