Current status and demand for the promotion of traditional Chinese medicine seasonal guidance and health preservation

Wang Xiao; Liu Lizhao; Zhang Longyao; Zhu Dandan; Zhou Qian; Zuo Changhui; Han Siying

doi:10.11986/j.issn.1673-873X.2024.07.02

Abstract：Objective To investigate the current status of the development of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)seasonal guidance and health preservation,identify existing problems,explore its future development trends,and propose a series of recommendations from the perspective of practical application at the grassroots level to promote its application and promo-tion.Methods From March 1,2023,to April 5,2023,the research team,in collaboration with the Tianjin Fitness Qigong Association,distributed self-designed structured questionnaires to 935 residents across various provinces and cities in China,conducting a survey.The survey covered the current status of development and existing problems of TCM seasonal guidance and health preservation from the dimensions of cognition,behavior,interest,and demand.Multidimensional qualitative and quantitative analyses were conducted based on sample data and interview materials through cross-analysis,correlation analy-sis,etc.Results The cognitive dimension score of the research participants was(2.84±0.64)points,the behavioral di-mension score was(3.01±1.20)points,the interest dimension score was(2.64±0.62)points,and the overall scale score was(2.77±0.72)points.Only 13.7％of the research participants were aware of the 24 solar terms guidance method,and the top 3 types of fitness Qigong known to them were Baduanjin exercise(81.5％),Wuqinxi(75.1％),and muscle-bone strengthening exercise(48.0％).On the interest dimension,there was a statistically significant difference in scores between male and female research participants(P＜0.05).There were statistically significant differences in subscale(cognitive,be-havioral,and interest dimensions)and total scores between different age groups of research participants(P＜0.05):re-search participants aged 51-70 and over 70 scored lower than those under 18,18-30,and 31-50 years old(P＜0.05).Statistically significant differences were found in scores on the subscale(behavioral and interest dimensions)and total scores between research participants with different educational levels(P＜0.05):research participants with secondary vocational/senior high school education scored lower than those with junior college/undergraduate education(P＜0.05).The top 3 channels research participants learned about TCM seasonal guidance and health preservation were new media such as the in-ternet,WeChat,Weibo(65.6％),word of mouth from friends,colleagues,teachers(55.4％),and traditional media such as television,radio,and movies(44.4％).Overall,89.9％of research participants believed that the integration of TCM seasonal guidance and health preservation with new technologies would increase people's interest in learning related knowl-edge and skills.Conclusion There is an imbalance between the public demand and development in the field of TCM seasonal guidance and health preservation,which is mainly manifested in the lack of popularization and inheritance of theoretical knowledge and practical skills,low public awareness levels,scarcity of professional talents and service institutions,and low social recognition and influence.It is recommended to combine form,content,and dissemination with current emerging technologies to endow traditional guidance with new vitality,further strengthen research on TCM seasonal guidance and health preservation,actively stimulate market demand,and expand promotional channels.