Dr Jitendra Singh stresses strong clinical foundations in medical education amid AI expansion

At launch of updated pediatric gastroenterology textbook, Union Minister says technology must strengthen not substitute core medical learning

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh has underscored the need for strong clinical foundations in medical education, asserting that while Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as a powerful support tool, it must complement rather than replace the fundamentals of medical learning.

He made these remarks while releasing the second edition of the postgraduate textbook Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, edited by Prof Anupam Sibal and Dr Sarath Gopalan, with a foreword by Prof Kathleen B Schwartz of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Addressing the growing influence of AI in healthcare and medical academia, Dr Singh said that once a sound grounding in clinical medicine is established, AI can serve as a valuable enabler, assistant, and facilitator. However, he cautioned that turning to AI before understanding the essence of medical concepts could weaken the foundational learning process required to become a competent clinician.

The Minister also pointed to the rapidly expanding body of medical knowledge, noting that the pace of research and publication has accelerated significantly in recent years. In this environment, he said, medical education systems must place renewed emphasis on conceptual clarity, bedside learning, and hands-on clinical exposure. While technology has made access to information easier than ever before, he stressed that the process of learning must remain rooted in fundamentals and practical understanding.

Calling for continuous modernization of medical education frameworks, Dr Singh said curricula must evolve in response to emerging challenges, including the integration of advanced technologies and the rising complexity of diseases. He added that young medical professionals should be encouraged to first build strong basics before progressively developing super-specialized expertise in their chosen fields.

The second edition of the textbook reflects significant advances in pediatric digestive and liver sciences and has been expanded to 45 chapters. The updated volume includes detailed discussions on inflammatory bowel disease, neuro-gastroenterology, celiac disease, cow’s milk protein allergy, genetics in gastrointestinal and liver disorders, pediatric endoscopy, and liver transplantation.