Abstract： Objective:To understand the connotation, development and application of rich pictures, and to encourage related practices among researchers in China.Methods:To sort out and interpret the key literature on rich pictures, and to introduce the application of rich pictures in health professions education with examples.Results:rich pictures are qualitative research approaches that have gained much attention in health professions education research in recent years. It can help researchers describe and understand complex issues from multiple perspectives as well as support in-depth communication among relevant participants. The research steps of rich pictures include research object selection and application strategy, data collection, data analysis, and report writing. The research process requires attention to equip individual participants′ drawings with the broader meaning of explaining the research problem.Conclusions:rich pictures have a unique research paradigm, including presenting scenarios corresponding to the research questions, triggering more in-depth interviews and discussions, exemplifying the results of the research. It will receive more attention from health professions educational research in China because of its unique advantages and characteristics.