Background ChatGPT is a large language model (LLM) based on artificial intelligence (AI) capable of responding in multiple languages and generating nuanced and highly complex responses. While ChatGPT holds promising applications in medical education, its limitations and potential risks cannot be ignored.
Methods A scoping review was conducted for English articles discussing ChatGPT in the context of medical education published after 2022. A literature search was performed using PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science databases, and information was extracted from the relevant studies that were ultimately included.
Results ChatGPT exhibits various potential applications in medical education, such as providing personalized learning plans and materials, creating clinical practice simulation scenarios, and assisting in writing articles. However, challenges associated with academic integrity, data accuracy, and potential harm to learning were also highlighted in the literature. The paper emphasizes certain recommendations for using ChatGPT, including the establishment of guidelines. Based on the review, 3 key research areas were proposed: cultivating the ability of medical students to use ChatGPT correctly, integrating ChatGPT into teaching activities and processes, and proposing standards for the use of AI by medical students.
Conclusion ChatGPT has the potential to transform medical education, but careful consideration is required for its full integration. To harness the full potential of ChatGPT in medical education, attention should not only be given to the capabilities of AI but also to its impact on students and teachers.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Large language models in education: a systematic review of empirical applications, benefits, and challenges Yuhong Shi, Kun Yu, Yifei Dong, Fang Chen Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence.2026; 10: 100529. CrossRef
Conversational AI agents in education: an umbrella review of current utilization, challenges, and future directions for ethical and responsible use Amrita Ganguly, Nafisa Mehjabin, Aqdas Malik, Aditya Johri AI and Ethics.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Generative artificial intelligence in mental health: A preliminary study on automating materials development for cognitive bias modification Che-Wei Hsu, Mia Cochrane, Sasini Bambarawana International Journal of Mental Health.2026; : 1. CrossRef
AI-assisted patient education: Challenges and solutions in pediatric kidney transplantation MZ Ihsan, Dony Apriatama, Pithriani, Riza Amalia Patient Education and Counseling.2025; 131: 108575. CrossRef
Exploring predictors of AI chatbot usage intensity among students: Within- and between-person relationships based on the technology acceptance model Anne-Kathrin Kleine, Insa Schaffernak, Eva Lermer Computers in Human Behavior: Artificial Humans.2025; 3: 100113. CrossRef
Artificial intelligence in medical problem-based learning: opportunities and challenges Yaoxing Chen, Hong Qi, Yu Qiu, Juan Li, Liang Zhu, Xiaoling Gao, Hao Wang, Gan Jiang Global Medical Education.2025; 2(1): 5. CrossRef
AI-powered standardised patients: evaluating ChatGPT-4o’s impact on clinical case management in intern physicians Selcen Öncü, Fulya Torun, Hilal Hatice Ülkü BMC Medical Education.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
UsmleGPT: An AI application for developing MCQs via multi-agent system Zhehan Jiang, Shicong Feng Software Impacts.2025; 23: 100742. CrossRef
ChatGPT’s Performance on Portuguese Medical Examination Questions: Comparative Analysis of ChatGPT-3.5 Turbo and ChatGPT-4o Mini Filipe Prazeres JMIR Medical Education.2025; 11: e65108. CrossRef
Transforming medical education: leveraging large language models to enhance PBL—a proof-of-concept study Shoukat Ali Arain, Shahid Akhtar Akhund, Muhammad Abrar Barakzai, Sultan Ayoub Meo Advances in Physiology Education.2025; 49(2): 398. CrossRef
Integrating artificial intelligence into pre-clinical medical education: challenges, opportunities, and recommendations Birgit Pohn, Lars Mehnen, Sebastian Fitzek, Kyung-Eun (Anna) Choi, Ralf J. Braun, Sepideh Hatamikia Frontiers in Education.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Evaluating the Accuracy and Reliability of Large Language Models (ChatGPT, Claude, DeepSeek, Gemini, Grok, and Le Chat) in Answering Item-Analyzed Multiple-Choice Questions on Blood Physiology Mayank Agarwal, Priyanka Sharma, Pinaki Wani Cureus.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Artificial intelligence-assisted academic writing: recommendations for ethical use Adam Cheng, Aaron Calhoun, Gabriel Reedy Advances in Simulation.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
University Educators Perspectives on ChatGPT: A Technology Acceptance Model-Based Study Muna Barakat, Nesreen A. Salim, Malik Sallam Open Praxis.2025; 17(1): 129. CrossRef
Knowledge and use, perceptions of benefits and limitations of artificial intelligence chatbots among Italian physiotherapy students: a cross-sectional national study Fabio Tortella, Alvisa Palese, Andrea Turolla, Greta Castellini, Paolo Pillastrini, Maria Gabriella Landuzzi, Chad Cook, Giovanni Galeoto, Giuseppe Giovannico, Lia Rodeghiero, Silvia Gianola, Giacomo Rossettini BMC Medical Education.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Digital and Intelligence Education in Medicine: A Bibliometric and Visualization Analysis Using CiteSpace and VOSviewer Bing Xiang Yang, FuLing Zhou, Nan Bai, Sichen Zhou, Chunyan Luo, Qing Wang, Arkers Kwan Ching Wong, Frances Lin Frontiers of Digital Education.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Prompts, privacy, and personalized learning: integrating AI into nursing education—a qualitative study Mingyan Shen, Yanping Shen, Fangchi Liu, Jiawen Jin BMC Nursing.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
The role of ChatGPT-4o in differential diagnosis and management of vertigo-related disorders Xu Liu, Suming Shi, Xin Zhang, Qianwen Gao, Wuqing Wang Scientific Reports.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Situating governance and regulatory concerns for generative artificial intelligence and large language models in medical education Michael Tran, Chinthaka Balasooriya, Jitendra Jonnagaddala, Gilberto Ka-Kit Leung, Neeraj Mahboobani, Subha Ramani, Joel Rhee, Lambert Schuwirth, Neysan Sedaghat Najafzadeh-Tabrizi, Carolyn Semmler, Zoie SY Wong npj Digital Medicine.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Real-world implementation of an AI learning tool-MetaGP-Edu in medical education: A multi-center cohort study Yili Sun, Fei Liu Computers & Education.2025; 237: 105388. CrossRef
A Comparative Analysis of the Accuracy and Readability of Popular Artificial Intelligence-Chat Bots for Inguinal Hernia Management Thisun Udagedara, Ashley Tran, Sumaya Bokhari, Sharon Shiraga, Stuart Abel, Caitlin Houghton, Katie Galvin, Kamran Samakar, Luke R. Putnam The American Surgeon™.2025; 91(10): 1729. CrossRef
Exploring the Boundaries of AI: ChatGPT’s Accuracy in Anatomical Image Generation & Bone Identification of the Foot Simran Shamith, Neshal K. Kothari, Serena K. Kothari, Carolyn Giordano Journal of Orthopaedic Experience & Innovation.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Intelligent system for foreign students preparation for postgraduate exams in surgery A. A. Litvin, V. V. Bereshchenko, S. A. Anashkina, A. M. Karamyshau, V. S. Ivanov Health and Ecology Issues.2025; 22(2): 140. CrossRef
Generative AI in higher education: A cross-sector analysis of ChatGPT's impact on STEM, social sciences, and healthcare Rouba Jamal Eddine, Ergun Gide, Abdallah Al-Sabbagh STEM Education.2025; 5(5): 757. CrossRef
Feasibility study of using GPT for history-taking training in medical education: a randomized clinical trial Zhen Wang, Ting-Ting Fan, Meng-Li Li, Nin-Jun Zhu, Xiao-Chen Wang BMC Medical Education.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Patterns, advances, and gaps in using ChatGPT and similar technologies in nursing education: A PAGER scoping review Isaac Amankwaa, Emmanuel Ekpor, Daniel Cudjoe, Emmanuel Kobiah, Abdul-Karim Jebuni Fuseini, Maximous Diebieri, Sabastin Gyamfi, Sharon Brownie Nurse Education Today.2025; : 106822. CrossRef
Comparison of the Performance of Five Generative Artificial Intelligence Models on a Medical Molecular Biology Examination Xiaoying Jiang Cureus.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
ChatGPT and AI Chatbots in Education: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews, Scoping Reviews, and Meta-Analyses Emmanouil D. Milakis, Constantina Corazon Argyrakou, Alexandros Melidis, John Vrettaros International Journal of Education and Information Technologies.2025; 19: 100. CrossRef
Evaluating the efficacy of using large language models in preoperative prediction of microvascular invasion in HCC: a multicenter study Zongren Ding, Jianxing Zeng, Guoxu Fang, Pengfei Guo, Weiping Zhou, Yongyi Zeng Scientific Reports.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
A Comparative Study of ChatGPT-4o and DeepSeek Responses to Mandibular Angle Osteotomy Questions Chenshan Jiang, Wenjie Cheng, Xinyi Jiang, Jianlin Zhang, Xiaojun Tang Journal of Craniofacial Surgery.2025; 36(7): e1113. CrossRef
AI‐scending the scope: Perspectives on the integration and utilization of artificial intelligence and machine learning in genetic counseling graduate programs Ofir Feuer, Kyla Holmes, Sarah Kane, Kathryn M. Curry, Daria Ma, Chloe A. Chatwin, Marie Chuldzhyan, Emily Quinn, Nicholas Gorman Journal of Genetic Counseling.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
How generative artificial intelligence transforms teaching and influences student wellbeing in future education Marcin Jukiewicz Frontiers in Education.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Application and Development of Large Language Models in Smart Inhalers Wenxu Guo, Zhihong Cheng, Jian Wang Pharmaceutical Fronts.2025; 07(03): e158. CrossRef
Comparing Large Language Models as Health Literacy Tools: Evaluating and Simplifying Texts on gender-Affirming Surgery VICTORIA N. Yi, Angel P. Scialdone, Ann Marie Flusche, Kendall Reitz, Holly C. Lewis, William M. Tian, Elda Fisher, Kristen Rezak, Ash Patel Journal of Health Communication.2025; : 1. CrossRef
Large Language Models in Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review (Preprint) Ruikang Zhong, Siyi Chen, Zexing Li, Tangke Gao, Yisha Su, Wenzheng Zhang, Dianna Liu, Lei Gao, Kaiwen Hu Journal of Medical Internet Research.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Comparative evaluation of large language models performance in medical education using urinary system histology assessment Anikó Szabó, Ghasem Dolatkhah Laein Scientific Reports.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Exploring the nexus of academic integrity and artificial intelligence in higher education: a bibliometric analysis Daniela Avello, Samuel Aranguren Zurita International Journal for Educational Integrity.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
AI-powered platform revolutionizing blood cell morphology education for medical students Xuekai Liu, Lei Shang, Chen Liu, Yongpei Yu, Donghua Shao, Meilin He, Guowei Liang BMC Medical Education.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of generative artificial intelligence: a qualitative study of undergraduate nursing students You Yuan, Jing Fu, Lanlan Leng, Zhuosi Wen, Xiaoman Wei, Die Han, Xinyang Hu, Yu Liang, Qian Luo, Xia Zhang, Rujun Hu Frontiers in Public Health.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
ChatGPT’s progress over time: A longitudinal enhancing biostatistical problem-solving in medical education Aleksandra Ignjatović, Marija Anđelković Apostolović, Lazar Stevanović, Pavle Radovanović, Marija Topalović, Tamara Filipović, Suzana Otašević Health Informatics Journal.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Applications of artificial intelligence in healthcare simulation: a model of thinking Adam Cheng, Carolyn McGregor Advances in Simulation.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
The current status, knowledge, attitudes, and challenges of generative artificial intelligence use among undergraduate nursing students: a single-center cross-sectional survey of western China Yuanyuan Zhao, You Yuan, Zhuosi Wen, Lanlan Leng, Lei Shi, Xinyang Hu, Xiaoman Wei, Meng Zuo, Jianghong Mou, Qian Luo, Mei Chen, Rujun Hu, Huiming Gao Frontiers in Public Health.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Evaluating large language models for mild cognitive impairment among older adults: A bilingual comparison of ChatGPT, Gemini, and Kimi Yexuan Xiao, Qianhui Pan, Haoyuan Liu, Yilin He, Yuhe Zhang, Nan Jiang Health Informatics Journal.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
ChatGPT Utility in Medical Education: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Fariba Hosseinzadegan, Seyedeh Masumeh Hashemi, Seyed Vahid Sharifi, Mehrnoosh Khoshnoodifar Health Science Monitor.2025; 4(3): 173. CrossRef
A systematic review of the impact of generative AI on postgraduate research: opportunities, challenges, and ethical implications Vicent Mabirizi, Calorine Katushabe, Gloria Muhoza, Jack Rugasira Discover Artificial Intelligence.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Evaluating Science Readiness of Pre-Service Elementary Teachers Through Diagnostic Assessment and Parental Feedback: Implications for Teacher Education Zydrick L Avelino Integrated Science Education Journal.2025; 6(3): 185. CrossRef
How can artificial intelligence transform the training of medical students and physicians? Yilin Ning, Jasmine Chiat Ling Ong, Haoran Cheng, Haibo Wang, Daniel Shu Wei Ting, Yih Chung Tham, Tien Yin Wong, Nan Liu The Lancet Digital Health.2025; 7(10): 100900. CrossRef
Poor Performance of Large Language Models Based on the Diabetes and Endocrinology Specialty Certificate Examination of the United Kingdom Ka Siu Fan, Jeffrey Gan, Isabelle X Zou, Maja Kaladjiska, Monique B Inguanez, Gillian L Garden Cureus.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Perceptions and Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Medical Students: A Multicenter Survey Cecilia Tran, Brett N. Hryciw, Sean William Moore, Alan Chaput, Andrew John Ervine Seely Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Effect of artificial intelligence-assisted personalized feedback on radiographic diagnostic performance of dental students: a controlled study Busra Nur Gokkurt Yilmaz, Furkan Ozbey, Birkan Eyup Yilmaz BMC Medical Education.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Academic misconduct and artificial intelligence use by medical students, interns and PhD students in Ukraine: a cross-sectional study Lesya Lymar, Iurii Kuchyn, Kateryna Bielka, Livia Puljak BMC Medical Education.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Medical multimodal large language models: A systematic review Yuan Hu, Chenhan Xu, Bo Lin, Weibin Yang, Yuan Yan Tang Intelligent Oncology.2025; 1(4): 308. CrossRef
Research on the training strategy of college students' design thinking and innovation ability based on multimodal large model Qing Liu, Wei Xue, Lingbo Meng, Yilin Zhu, Jixin Li Frontiers in Education.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Clinical Assessment of Large Language Models: A Comprehensive Multi-domain Performance Study for Healthcare Applications Harsh Hirani, Bharat Saboo, Alok Modi, Palak Modi, Shambo Samrat Samajdar, Banshi Saboo, Manoj Chawla, Anuj Maheshwari, Amit Gupta, Rakesh Parikh, S. S. Dariya, Ritu Johari, Rutul Gokhlani, Param Kadam International Journal of Diabetes and Technology.2025; 4(4): 159. CrossRef
Evaluating the impact of AI-tutoring versus expert human instruction on surgical skills in medical students Yili Sun, Fei Liu Education and Information Technologies.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
AI adoption in higher education: Exploring attitudes and perceived benefits between users and non-users Nevenka Popović Šević, Aleksandar Šević, Milica Slijepčević, Jelena Krstić Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies.2025; 15(4): e202528. CrossRef
Integrating generative Artificial Intelligence into student learning: A systematic review from a TPACK perspective Xiaofan Liu, Baichang Zhong Educational Research Review.2025; 49: 100741. CrossRef
Large language models as educational collaborators: developing non-conventional teaching aids in pharmacology & therapeutics Kannan Sridharan, Gowri Sivaramakrishnan BMC Medical Education.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Technologies, opportunities, challenges, and future directions for integrating generative artificial intelligence into medical education: a narrative review Junseok Kang, Jihyun Ahn Ewha Medical Journal.2025; 48(4): e53. CrossRef
A bibliometric analysis of artificial intelligence in medical education (2015–2025) Wendan Cheng, Zhongyao Hu, Haoran Yu Medicine.2025; 104(46): e45684. CrossRef
Embracing the Future of Medical Education With Large Language Model–Based Virtual Patients: Scoping Review Jianwen Zeng, Wenhao Qi, Shiying Shen, Xin Liu, Sixie Li, Bing Wang, Chaoqun Dong, Xiaohong Zhu, Yankai Shi, Xiajing Lou, Bingsheng Wang, Jiani Yao, Guowei Jiang, Qiong Zhang, Shihua Cao Journal of Medical Internet Research.2025; 27: e79091. CrossRef
Reliability of ChatGPT-4o in analysing medical data: a test case study on patients at risk for limb amputation Liat Toderis, Iris Reychav, Roger McHaney, Bernice Oberman, Chen Speter, Ronen Loebstein Health Systems.2025; : 1. CrossRef
Artificial intelligence in undergraduate medical education: an updated scoping review Jennifer Simoni, Judith Urtubia-Fernandez, Elisa Mengual, Diglio A. Simoni, Montserrat Royo, Diego Egaña-Yin, Oliver L. A. Hertog, Lourdes López-Ortiz, Adrián Muñoz-Tomás, Paula Santiago-Martínez, Adrián Vahamaki, José Luis Pereira BMC Medical Education.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Considerations for Patient Privacy of Large Language Models in Health Care: Scoping Review Xiaoying Zhong, Siyi Li, Zhao Chen, Long Ge, Dongdong Yu, Shijia Wang, Liangzhen You, Hongcai Shang Journal of Medical Internet Research.2025; 27: e76571. CrossRef
The Growing Importance of Soft Skills in Medical Education in the AI Era: Balancing Humanistic Care and Artificial Intelligence Effie Simou International Medical Education.2025; 4(4): 50. CrossRef
Integrating Generative AI in Health Education: A Scoping Review and Implementation Framework Kellie Toohey, Zach Quince, Felicity Walker, Linda Furness, Michelle Bissett, Carlie Daley, Kachina Allen, Natalie Munro, Andy Smidt, Jodie Cochrane Wilkie, Louise Horstmanshof, Kathryn Baltrotsky, Fiona Naumann Medical Science Educator.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Beyond technical efficacy: challenges and critical concerns of large language model’s impact on medical education in China: a systematic review Puwen Shen, Yongxiang Yuan, Xinyao He, Fang Wang Global Medical Education.2025; 2(1): 113. CrossRef
Evaluating the Insights of ChatGPT, Gemini and Expert Surgeons in Revision Rhinoplasty Consultation Shahin Bastaninejad, Samira Alipour, Luiz Carlos Ishida, Mahdieh Mohebbi, Benyamin Mousavi-asl, Farrokh Heidari, Habib Azimi Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Large Language Model Applications in the Algebra Domain: A Systematic Review Yajie Song, Yimei Zhang, Doina Precup, Reihaneh Rabbany, Maria Cutumisu Technology, Knowledge and Learning.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
The Application of Flipped Classroom Integrated with ChatGPT in Improving Graduate Education on Choroidal Melanoma Shengyu Tan, Qijian Deng, Qiaoyan Wei, Xuan Zhu, Shengguo Li Journal of Cancer Education.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Case study: creating an ‘AI for Academic Writing Skills’ induction session for postgraduate life science courses Jennifer Carter, Anne Ferrey, Hubert Lam, Kelly Webb-Davies, Damion Young, Barbara Zonta, Delia O' Rourke Emerging Topics in Life Sciences.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
U.S. Medical Student Experiences with ChatGPT: A National Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint) Alan Yuesheng Xu, Skye Speakman, Vincent Salvatore Piranio, Robert Medina, Michelle Liu, Chris Lamprecht, Meghan Brennan JMIR Formative Research.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Chatbots in neurology and neuroscience: Interactions with students, patients and neurologists Stefano Sandrone Brain Disorders.2024; 15: 100145. CrossRef
ChatGPT in education: unveiling frontiers and future directions through systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis Buddhini Amarathunga Asian Education and Development Studies.2024; 13(5): 412. CrossRef
Evaluating the performance of ChatGPT-3.5 and ChatGPT-4 on the Taiwan plastic surgery board examination Ching-Hua Hsieh, Hsiao-Yun Hsieh, Hui-Ping Lin Heliyon.2024; 10(14): e34851. CrossRef
Preparing for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) in Health Professions Education: AMEE Guide No. 172 Ken Masters, Anne Herrmann-Werner, Teresa Festl-Wietek, David Taylor Medical Teacher.2024; 46(10): 1258. CrossRef
A Comparative Analysis of ChatGPT and Medical Faculty Graduates in Medical Specialization Exams: Uncovering the Potential of Artificial Intelligence in Medical Education Gülcan Gencer, Kerem Gencer Cureus.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Research ethics and issues regarding the use of ChatGPT-like artificial intelligence platforms by authors and reviewers: a narrative review Sang-Jun Kim Science Editing.2024; 11(2): 96. CrossRef
Innovation Off the Bat: Bridging the ChatGPT Gap in Digital Competence among English as a Foreign Language Teachers Gulsara Urazbayeva, Raisa Kussainova, Aikumis Aibergen, Assel Kaliyeva, Gulnur Kantayeva Education Sciences.2024; 14(9): 946. CrossRef
Exploring the perceptions of Chinese pre-service teachers on the integration of generative AI in English language teaching: Benefits, challenges, and educational implications Ji Young Chung, Seung-Hoon Jeong Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies.2024; 14(4): e202457. CrossRef
Unveiling the bright side and dark side of AI-based ChatGPT : a bibliographic and thematic approach Chandan Kumar Tiwari, Mohd. Abass Bhat, Abel Dula Wedajo, Shagufta Tariq Khan Journal of Decision Systems.2024; : 1. CrossRef
Artificial Intelligence in Medical Education and Mentoring in Rehabilitation Medicine Julie K. Silver, Mustafa Reha Dodurgali, Nara Gavini American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.2024; 103(11): 1039. CrossRef
The Potential of Artificial Intelligence Tools for Reducing Uncertainty in Medicine and Directions for Medical Education Sauliha Rabia Alli, Soaad Qahhār Hossain, Sunit Das, Ross Upshur JMIR Medical Education.2024; 10: e51446. CrossRef
A Systematic Literature Review of Empirical Research on Applying Generative Artificial Intelligence in Education Xin Zhang, Peng Zhang, Yuan Shen, Min Liu, Qiong Wang, Dragan Gašević, Yizhou Fan Frontiers of Digital Education.2024; 1(3): 223. CrossRef