Narrative medicine education, as a vehicle for medical humanities practice, cultivates narrative competence, empathy, and reflective abilities in medical students, playing a pivotal role in improving doctor-patient relationships and healthcare quality. Through a scoping review of 250 studies (2011-2025), we systematically compared and analyzed teaching models, practical pathways, and localization characteristics. Globally, a standardized curriculum centers on close reading, reflective writing, and scenario simulation. In China, integration with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) case studies and the Red Medical Spirit (a medical humanistic spirit centered on the people and selfless dedication, formed during China's revolutionary medical practices) has forged dual tracks of community practice and ideological development. However, challenges persist, including faculty shortages and unidimensional assessment. Future efforts must enhance interdisciplinary integration, refine local theoretical frameworks, and translate educational innovation into clinical practice to advance patient-centered care ecosystems.
Hu et al. (Sun,) studied this question.