Reforming Clinical Pharmacy Education in China in the Era of Artificial Intelligence: Strategies to Address Curriculum Overload and Integrate AI

Abstract

China is actively restructuring its medical education system to confront the challenges posed by curriculum overload in the era of artificial intelligence (AI), with a particular focus on clinical pharmacy and traditional Chinese clinical pharmacy programs. The conventional educational framework, which heavily relies on rote memorization and the mechanical combination of foundational pharmacy and medical courses, has become increasingly unsustainable amid the influx of modern medical data and AI tools. This dual challenge of reducing academic burnout while integrating AI technologies has accelerated the need for systemic reform. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current issues related to curriculum overload and AI integration in clinical pharmacy education, explores strategic approaches to curriculum reform, discusses implementation pathways, and offers future perspectives. The aim is to furnish educational policymakers and practitioners with both theoretical foundations and practical guidance to optimize clinical pharmacy education in China’s evolving healthcare landscape.