Why did hospital experience become more important in medical education during the 17th and 18th centuries?

During the 17th and 18th centuries, medical education shifted away from an over-reliance on abstract theory and doctrine toward a renewed emphasis on clinical observation at the bedside. This change was driven by several key factors:12

• Rejection of Speculative Systems: Physicians increasingly realized that the various "easy systems" of the era—such as iatrophysics and iatrochemistry—failed to provide reliable medical knowledge. Influential figures like Thomas Sydenham urged a return to the Hippocratic tradition of straightforward observation.2
• Scientific Advancement: The discovery of the circulation of the blood by William Harvey stimulated a more scientific approach to studying bodily processes, which deemphasized traditional, non-empirical doctrines.1
• Training the Senses: Educators recognized the necessity of training students' sight, hearing, and touch through direct interaction with patients to better understand disease.1
• Hospital Evolution: As hospitals transitioned from charitable dwellings for the poor into more efficient, well-staffed establishments, they became ideal environments for applying natural sciences—such as anatomy, botany, and chemistry—to actual patient care.1