Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh has emphasized the need for a strong clinical foundation in medical education, cautioning that Artificial Intelligence (AI) should only serve as an enabler once doctors are firmly grounded in core clinical skills. He stressed that clinical training and hands-on experience must remain central to the curriculum.
Speaking at the release of the second edition of the Postgraduate Textbook of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition in New Delhi, Dr. Singh noted that competent clinicians must be able to serve society even without advanced instruments or technology. He highlighted that AI can assist in diagnostics and efficiency but cannot replace human judgment in critical care.
The Minister, himself a professor of medicine and diabetes, underlined that over-reliance on AI without mastering medical fundamentals risks weakening the learning process. He urged medical institutions to prioritize bedside training, patient interaction, and clinical reasoning before introducing AI tools.
The textbook was edited by Prof. Anupam Sibal and Dr. Sarath Gopalan, with a foreword by Prof. Kathleen B. Schwartz of Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Singh said the publication reflects the rapid expansion of medical knowledge and the need for doctors to adapt while retaining strong diagnostic and clinical judgment skills.
