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Medicine–Engineering Integration in General Practice: Current Status and Future Perspectives

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  • 1. Department of General Practice, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200336, China; 2. Center of Community Health Care, China Hospital Development Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200336, China

Received date: 2026-01-26

  Revised date: 2026-04-08

  Accepted date: 2026-04-16

  Online published: 2026-06-11

Abstract

General practice is the cornerstone of primary healthcare, but it faces increasing challenges from workforce shortages and the rising burden of chronic diseases with complex comorbidities. The integration of medicine and engineering offers new opportunities to transform service delivery and enhance the sustainability of primary care systems. This narrative review aims to synthesize recent practices and emerging research on medicine–engineering integration in general practice and proposes strategic directions for building a people-centered intelligent health ecosystem. A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library using relevant keywords. Sixty-four studies were included in the final review. It was summarized key applications of engineering technologies in general practice, including disease screening, clinical decision support, chronic disease management, healthcare accessibility, and professional education. Major barriers to integration are also analyzed across data infrastructure, clinical workflows, workforce capacity, and ethical and regulatory domains. Technologies such as wearable devices, artificial intelligence, telemedicine platforms, and immersive educational tools have demonstrated substantial potential to enhance diagnostic accuracy, improve chronic disease outcomes, expand access to care, and strengthen workforce training. However, persistent challenges (including data silos, algorithmic bias, limited real-world usability, interdisciplinary talent shortages, and ethical concerns) continue to hinder large-scale implementation. Moving beyond fragmented pilot initiatives towards a coordinated, ecosystem-level approach is essential for the effective integration of intelligent health technologies into general practice. A people-centered intelligent health ecosystem, supported by interdisciplinary collaboration and robust governance, can strengthen primary healthcare delivery and contribute to the achievement of universal health coverage.

Cite this article

Xu Zhongqing . Medicine–Engineering Integration in General Practice: Current Status and Future Perspectives[J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Science), 2026 , 31(3) : 811 -818 . DOI: 10.1007/s12204-026-2935-8

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