he Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Clinical Teaching in Traditional Chinese Medicine: Reflections and Considerations

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly transforming medical education and provides new opportunities for the reform and development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinical teaching. This article reviews the application and educational impact of AI across major domains of TCM clinical education, including visual inspection, auscultation and olfaction, inquiry, pulse palpation, clinical case writing, the study of TCM classics and master physician apprenticeship, clinical reasoning, scientific research innovation, and interdisciplinary integration. AI can enrich teaching resources, facilitate the visualisation and simulation of clinical processes, support case analysis and clinical reasoning, improve learning efficiency, and promote interdisciplinary integration and educational innovation. However, its application also presents challenges, including limitations and inaccuracies in professional knowledge, potential over-reliance on AI that may weaken students’ practical and independent clinical skills, and risks to academic integrity and medical ethics. Therefore, AI should be regarded as a complementary educational tool rather than a substitute for clinical expertise. Medical students should independently acquire comprehensive and in-depth theoretical knowledge through self-directed learning and critical thinking, while developing clinical experience and practical wisdom through supervised clinical practice. The responsible integration of AI into TCM clinical education requires critical evaluation of AI-generated information, appropriate teacher supervision, and continued emphasis on academic integrity, medical ethics, and the preservation of essential human-centred clinical competencies.