JCNRJournal of Clinical and Nursing Research2208-36852208-3693Bio-Byword Scientific Publishing Pty. Ltd.10.26689/jcnr.v10i2.14170ArticleCurrent Status of Inheritance and Development of Community-Level Traditional Chinese Medicine Practices: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Linfen, Chinahttps://artdesignp.com/journal/JCNR/10/2/10.26689/jcnr.v10i2.14170ZhangRuifen,DengHongfei,CuiYukai20261022026-03-11Objective: To investigate the current status of inheritance and development of folk traditional Chinese medicine in Linfen City, analyze practitioner characteristics, inheritance modes, and social acceptance, and to provide references for standardized management and rational development of folk traditional Chinese medicine. Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted from January to December 2025 among folk traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, medical staff, and urban and rural residents in Linfen City. The survey content included basic characteristics of practitioners, inheritance modes, practice status, and levels of recognition of folk traditional Chinese medicine among different population groups. An Excel database was established, and descriptive statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26.0. Results: A total of 349 participants were surveyed, including 99 folk traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, 100 medical staff members, and 150 urban and rural residents. Most practitioners were middle-aged or elderly, had more than 10 years of practice experience, primarily inherited their skills through apprenticeship or family transmission, and had a relatively low proportion of systematic theoretical training in traditional Chinese medicine. Residents showed a high level of acceptance of folk traditional Chinese medicine, whereas medical staff demonstrated a relatively cautious attitude. Conclusion: Folk traditional Chinese medicine in Linfen City has a certain social foundation and practical value; however, further improvements are needed in standardized inheritance, management mechanisms, and sustainable development.

von Schoen-Angerer T, Manchanda R, Lloyd I, et al., 2023, Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Healthcare: Global Stakeholder Perspective on WHO's Current and Future Strategy. BMJ Global Health, 8(12): e013150.

Zhang X, Ren J, Sun L, et al., 2022, Perceived Quality of Traditional Chinese Medicine Care in Community Health Services: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Hangzhou of China. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2022: 7512581.

Meng F, Ji Z, Song F, et al., 2020, Patients’ Familiarity With, Trust in and Willingness to Pay for Traditional Chinese Medicine in Chinese Community Health Care Centres. European Journal of Integrative Medicine, 36: 101118.

Jeitler M, Ortiz M, Brinkhaus B, et al., 2024, Use and Acceptance of Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine in Germany: An Online Representative Cross-Sectional Study. Frontiers in Medicine, 11: 1372924.

Hoenders R, Ghelman R, Portella C, et al., 2024, A Review of the WHO Strategy on Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine from the Perspective of Academic Consortia for Integrative Medicine and Health. Frontiers in Medicine, 11: 1395698.

Zhu D, Shi X, Nicholas S, et al., 2020, Regional Disparities in Health Care Resources in Traditional Chinese Medicine County Hospitals in China. PLoS One, 15(1): e0227956.

Xin B, Mu S, Tan T, et al., 2020, Belief in and Use of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Shanghai Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 20(1): 128.

Aw J, Yiengprugsawan V, Gong C, 2019, Utilization of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners in Later Life in Mainland China. Geriatrics (Basel), 4(3): 49.

Guo R, Zeng D, Zhao Q, et al., 2025, How Are Different Traditional Chinese Medicine Modalities Deployed by Clinical Practitioners in China? Findings From a National Survey. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 23(1): 36–45.

Yan H, Han Z, Nie H, et al., 2023, Continuing Medical Education in China: Evidence from Primary Health Workers' Preferences for Continuing Traditional Chinese Medicine Education. BMC Health Services Research, 23(1): 1200.

Xu J, Yang Y, 2009, Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Chinese Health Care System. Health Policy, 90(2–3): 133–139.

Li J, Graham D, 2020, The Importance of Regulating the Education and Training of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and a Potential Role for ISO/TC 249. Pharmacological Research, 161: 105217.

Fan X, Meng F, Wang D, et al., 2018, Perceptions of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Chronic Disease Care and Prevention: A Cross-Sectional Study of Chinese Hospital-Based Health Care Professionals. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 18(1): 209.

Zaidi S, Saeed S, Khan M, et al., 2022, Public Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Towards Herbal Medicines: A Cross-Sectional Study in Western Saudi Arabia. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 22(1): 326.

Wang M, Liu Z, Sun Y, et al., 2025, Integration of Traditional and Complementary Medicine into Primary Health Care Systems: A Systematic Review. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 103(11): 675–684C.

Wang W, Zhou H, Wang Y, et al., 2021, Current Policies and Measures on the Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China. Pharmacological Research, 163: 105187.

Wong C, Tse J, Nilsen P, et al., 2021, Barriers and Facilitators to Promoting Evidence Uptake in Chinese Medicine: A Qualitative Study in Hong Kong. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 21(1): 200.

Bodeker G, Kronenberg F, 2002, A Public Health Agenda for Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine. American Journal of Public Health, 92(10): 1582–1591.