Generative AI-Assisted Teaching and Clinical Reasoning Among TCM Interns

This study evaluated the effects of generative artificial intelligence (GAI)-assisted education on clinical reasoning performance among traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) interns. An assessor-blinded, nonrandomized, cluster-controlled educational intervention study was conducted at three hospital branches in Taiwan. Participants were assigned to either a GAI-assisted education group or a conventional education group according to their clinical training sites. The intervention group received a three-hour introductory training session on ChatGPT and was encouraged to use the tool independently for clinical case analysis during subsequent clinical rotations. The control group received conventional clinical education without structured GAI-assisted training. The primary outcome was clinical reasoning performance, assessed through clinical case reports independently evaluated by two blinded TCM educators. Secondary outcomes included perceptions of the four-element TCM diagnostic framework and perceptions of GAI-assisted learning.

Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 18 years or older. * Enrolled in an undergraduate or postbaccalaureate traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) program. * Completed the required TCM coursework and the first stage of the national TCM licensing examination. * Provided informed consent to participate in the study. Exclusion Criteria: * Already licensed as a traditional Chinese medicine physician. * Unable to complete the required study procedures. * Declined to provide informed consent.