Research on the Dilemmas and Collaborative Mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicine Informatization in China

Abstract

Background: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) informatization in China has progressed from basic hospital information system construction toward regional platforms, data governance, intelligent diagnosis, and digital service integration. However, development remains constrained by fragmented infrastructure, insufficient standardization, weak interoperability, uneven data quality, a shortage of interdisciplinary professionals, and limited integration between artificial intelligence and TCM theory. Objective: This focused narrative review aims to analyze the major dilemmas of TCM informatization in China and propose collaborative mechanisms for sustainable and clinically meaningful development. Methods: Representative Chinese literature was reviewed across six themes: TCM informatization pathways, digital empowerment of TCM hospitals, regional electronic medical record systems, data governance and security, AI-assisted syndrome differentiation and clinical decision support, and talent development for informatization. Results: Four major dilemmas were identified: fragmented infrastructure and uneven capacity, constraints in data standardization and governance, insufficient clinical translation of AI and TCM theory, and organizational and workforce limitations. Correspondingly, four collaborative mechanisms are proposed: policy and institutional coordination; data standardization and secure sharing; clinical knowledge-data-technology co-development; and a mechanism for talent development, evaluation, and feedback. Conclusion: TCM informatization should shift from isolated system construction to collaborative digital governance. Future development should strengthen integrated infrastructure, standardized data representation, secure data circulation, theory-grounded AI, multimodal clinical intelligence, interdisciplinary talent cultivation, and continuous evaluation mechanisms.