Integrating Artificial Intelligence and Socratic Inquiry in Medical Education A Critical Framework for Clinical Reasoning Development

Integrating Artificial Intelligence and Socratic Inquiry in Medical Education A Critical Framework for Clinical Reasoning Development | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Systematic Review Integrating Artificial Intelligence and Socratic Inquiry in Medical Education A Critical Framework for Clinical Reasoning Development José Daniel Sánchez This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8970982/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 12 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background : The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical education represents a paradigm shift in pedagogical delivery, particularly in addressing the persistent gap between basic science knowledge and clinical application. The Socratic method, while theoretically ideal for developing critical thinking, faces significant scalability and implementation challenges in modern medical curricula. Objectives : This comprehensive review examines the potential of AI-powered systems to emulate Socratic dialogue in basic medical science education, analyzing current applications, comparative effectiveness, inherent limitations, and ethical considerations. Methods : We conducted a critical synthesis of peer-reviewed literature (2019-2025) on AI applications in medical education, Socratic pedagogy, and educational technology. Data sources included PubMed, ERIC, Web of Science, and educational technology databases, yielding 67 relevant studies. Results:: AI-driven Socratic tutoring systems demonstrate significant potential across the educational continuum, from foundational sciences to clinical reasoning. These systems provide scalable, personalized, and psychologically safe learning environments that address traditional limitations of human-led Socratic dialogue. However, critical challenges persist, including algorithmic bias, factual unreliability (hallucinations), data privacy concerns, and the paradoxical tension between surveillance requirements and psychological safety. Conclusions : AI represents a complementary, not replacement, technology for medical education. Successful integration requires simultaneous advancement of three pillars: institutional governance frameworks, longitudinal curriculum redesign, and comprehensive faculty development. The optimal model is a human-AI symbiosis that leverages AI for scalable inquiry while preserving human expertise for empathy, ethics, and complex clinical judgment. Artificial intelligence medical education Socratic method clinical reasoning educational technology learning analytics adaptive learning Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Reviews received at journal 15 May, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 08 May, 2026 Reviews received at journal 01 Apr, 2026 Reviews received at journal 26 Mar, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 23 Mar, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 23 Mar, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 17 Mar, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 17 Mar, 2026 Editor invited by journal 03 Mar, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 02 Mar, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 02 Mar, 2026 First submitted to journal 02 Mar, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8970982","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Systematic Review","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":607610520,"identity":"f2fd619d-0e20-4e76-b9d5-53130b311945","order_by":0,"name":"José Daniel Sánchez","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAABBUlEQVRIiWNgGAWjYDCCAyBUAGLxAHEFAwMbkJIgrMUApuUMgwRRWhjgWhjbIKrxauE7fvbggQ8GdfLm7GcPPvw573AdHwPzwds8DDbyuLRInslLODjD4LDhzp68ZAPJbYeBDmNLtuZhSDNswKHF4ECOwWEegwOMG27wmEkYgrXwmEnzMBxOwGWLwfk3Bof/GNTZA7WY/0icA9LC/w2o5T9uLTeAtjAYMCeCbGE42AC2hQ2o5QBOLZI33hgc7DE4nLzhTI6xZMOxdMk2ZjZjyzkGyTj9wnc+x/jDj4o62w3Hzxh+/FFjzS/f3vzwxpsKO5whhgUwgx1MgoZRMApGwSgYBRgAABXKVDTg9pRKAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"José","middleName":"Daniel","lastName":"Sánchez","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-02-25 20:08:16","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8970982/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8970982/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":105034108,"identity":"05459bf7-b3c5-4399-8631-a782db5fc84d","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-03-20 07:22:40","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":381723,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"iASocrates.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8970982/v1_covered_197bdee4-3003-4d6b-b52f-34340da10620.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Integrating Artificial Intelligence and Socratic Inquiry in Medical Education A Critical Framework for Clinical Reasoning Development","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-artificial-intelligence","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"diai","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Artificial Intelligence](https://www.springer.com/44163)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Discover Artificial Intelligence","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Artificial intelligence, medical education, Socratic method, clinical reasoning, educational technology, learning analytics, adaptive learning","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8970982/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8970982/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBackground\u003c/strong\u003e: The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical education represents a paradigm shift in pedagogical delivery, particularly in addressing the persistent gap between basic science knowledge and clinical application. The Socratic method, while theoretically ideal for developing critical thinking, faces significant scalability and implementation challenges in modern medical curricula.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eObjectives\u003c/strong\u003e: This comprehensive review examines the potential of AI-powered systems to emulate Socratic dialogue in basic medical science education, analyzing current applications, comparative effectiveness, inherent limitations, and ethical considerations.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethods\u003c/strong\u003e: We conducted a critical synthesis of peer-reviewed literature (2019-2025) on AI applications in medical education, Socratic pedagogy, and educational technology. Data sources included PubMed, ERIC, Web of Science, and educational technology databases, yielding 67 relevant studies. Results:: AI-driven Socratic tutoring systems demonstrate significant potential across the educational continuum, from foundational sciences to clinical reasoning. These systems provide scalable, personalized, and psychologically safe learning environments that address traditional limitations of human-led Socratic dialogue. However, critical challenges persist, including algorithmic bias, factual unreliability (hallucinations), data privacy concerns, and the paradoxical tension between surveillance requirements and psychological safety.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConclusions\u003c/strong\u003e: AI represents a complementary, not replacement, technology for medical education. Successful integration requires simultaneous advancement of three pillars: institutional governance frameworks, longitudinal curriculum redesign, and comprehensive faculty development. The optimal model is a human-AI symbiosis that leverages AI for scalable inquiry while preserving human expertise for empathy, ethics, and complex clinical judgment.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Integrating Artificial Intelligence and Socratic Inquiry in Medical Education A Critical Framework for Clinical Reasoning Development","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-03-18 10:04:01","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8970982/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-05-15T14:21:44+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"298361928653585184975706411363060079986","date":"2026-05-08T11:46:18+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-04-01T19:05:23+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-03-26T12:26:40+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"112025738303436164015467459271901894543","date":"2026-03-24T03:01:35+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"312644941810228400152940894570677077457","date":"2026-03-23T15:38:52+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"98299389340510973670168564119154759694","date":"2026-03-17T12:50:58+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2026-03-17T05:04:24+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2026-03-03T09:31:38+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2026-03-03T03:41:26+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2026-03-02T23:27:01+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Discover Artificial Intelligence","date":"2026-03-02T15:37:18+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-artificial-intelligence","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"diai","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Artificial Intelligence](https://www.springer.com/44163)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Discover Artificial Intelligence","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"f51eb136-d0e7-4e3a-a30e-7a657e42f5a8","owner":[],"postedDate":"March 18th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-05-15T14:21:44+00:00","index":114,"fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"298361928653585184975706411363060079986","date":"2026-05-08T11:46:18+00:00","index":112,"fulltext":""}],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-03-18T10:04:01+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-03-18 10:04:01","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-8970982","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-8970982","identity":"rs-8970982","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}