Abstract: Bedside teaching, recognized as one of the most efficient teaching methods in medical education, serves as the cornerstone of clinical teaching. This study employs systematic literature reviews and clinical case analyses to explore the origins, concepts, classification, advantages, and challenges of bedside teaching. It further examines corresponding pedagogical strategies and diverse bedside teaching methodologies, emphasizing the critical role of bedside teaching in cultivating qualified clinicians equipped with humanistic literacy and clinical practice competence. The study highlights key considerations in bedside teaching, including the layered and progressive approach, tailoring instruction to individual aptitude, ensuring patient safety and healthcare quality, and emphasizing the cultivation of professionalism. The purpose of this article is to return bedside teaching to the core principles of clinical teaching, thereby promoting the high-quality development of medical education.

Key words: bedside teaching, medical education, teaching strategies, professionalism, hierarchical-progressive approach, clinical practice competence, healthcare quality and safety