Transforming medical ethics education: a scoping review of experiential, digital, and AI-integrated pedagogies

Background: Medical ethics education plays a central role in preparing health professionals for complex clinical decision-making. However, rapid technological advances, evolving healthcare systems, and increasingly intricate ethical dilemmas have exposed the limitations of traditional lecture-based approaches. In response, a wide range of innovative educational strategies has emerged, yet a comprehensive overview of these approaches remains limited. This scoping review aimed to map and synthesize recent innovations in medical ethics education, identify their educational outcomes, and highlight key challenges and emerging trends across health professions education. Methods: A scoping review was conducted using established frameworks. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for English-language studies published between 2022 and 2025. After systematic screening and eligibility assessment, 40 studies were included. Data were charted and synthesized using narrative and thematic analysis to categorize educational approaches and reported outcomes. Results: The included studies described a diverse range of innovative strategies, including experiential and case-based learning, simulation and immersive technologies (such as virtual reality and 360-degree video), game-based learning, interactive digital platforms, ethics education in artificial intelligence, reflective portfolios, and faculty development initiatives. Most approaches were associated with improved ethical sensitivity, applied ethical reasoning, learner engagement, empathy, and perceived preparedness for real-world ethical challenges. Nevertheless, several studies reported persistent challenges, including curriculum overload, limited faculty expertise, inconsistent assessment methods, and reduced sustainability of learning gains, particularly in technology-driven interventions without structured reflection. Conclusions: Innovative approaches have the greatest impact on medical ethics education when they are learner-centered, contextually grounded, and longitudinally integrated into clinical training. Strategic use of educational technologies, combined with guided reflection and faculty development, is essential for fostering durable ethical competence in future health professionals.