A national survey on how to improve the integration of traditional Chinese medicine and artificial intelligence: Attitudes and perceptions from medical staff.

Researchers surveyed over 1,100 medical professionals across 13 hospitals in China to understand their views on combining traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The study, conducted in summer 2025, explored how healthcare workers feel about using computer algorithms and smart technology to enhance acupuncture, herbal medicine, and other TCM practices.

The survey found that most medical staff (62%) are willing to try AI-assisted TCM diagnosis and treatment in their clinical work. Healthcare providers identified three promising AI applications: intelligent systems that identify TCM diagnostic patterns (syndrome differentiation), computerized tools that replicate the traditional "four examinations" (looking, listening, smelling, and asking), and robotic devices that could assist with acupuncture and massage treatments.

Medical professionals expressed concerns about potential risks, particularly whether AI might oversimplify the complex, individualized nature of TCM diagnosis or fail to understand the cultural context that makes this medicine unique. They emphasized that any AI system must be highly accurate, easy to use, and developed with input from experienced practitioners.

For patients considering acupuncture, this research suggests that AI-enhanced diagnostic tools may soon help practitioners make more precise treatment recommendations and personalize herbal formulas more effectively. However, the technology is still being developed, and medical staff agree that accuracy must be the top priority. The integration of AI aims to support—not replace—the nuanced clinical judgment that experienced TCM practitioners bring to patient care. When seeking acupuncture treatment, always consult with a licensed acupuncturist or qualified TCM practitioner.

This cross-sectional survey of 1,100 medical staff across 13 Chinese institutions (June-July 2025) assessed attitudes toward TCM-AI integration using a 14-item structured questionnaire. Key findings: 62.1% of respondents expressed willingness to utilize AI-enhanced TCM diagnosis and treatment modalities in clinical practice. Priority applications identified were intelligent syndrome differentiation systems (54.6%), TCM four diagnostic instruments (49.1%), and acupuncture/Tui Na robotics (47.8%). Medical research, personalized regimen generation, and intelligent inquiry were deemed the most critical integration processes. Primary concerns included cultural context misinterpretation, preservation of dialectical treatment flexibility, and algorithmic oversimplification of TCM experiential knowledge. Accuracy (78.0%), operational convenience (67.5%), and practitioner involvement (60.9%) were identified as essential implementation factors. Clinical takeaway: Practitioners should anticipate AI-assisted diagnostic tools that prioritize syndrome differentiation accuracy while maintaining clinical adaptability and cultural sensitivity in TCM practice patterns.