Survey and Analysis of Traditional Chinese Medicine Cultural Identity Among Vocational College Medical Students

Objective: This study aims to understand the current status of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) cultural identity among vocational college medical students and provide strategies and recommendations to further enhance their recognition of TCM culture. Methods: From May to June 2024, a convenience sampling method was used to survey medical students from four vocational colleges in Anhui Province using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Cultural Identity Scale. A total of 1,488 valid questionnaires were collected. Results: The overall average score for TCM cultural identity among medical students was 4.50 ± 0.48, indicating a relatively high level. Among the three dimensions, the cognitive dimension scored the highest, followed by the affective dimension, while the behavioral dimension scored the lowest. Significant differences were found in TCM cultural identity among students based on gender, grade, major, and method of major selection. Conclusion: It is recommended to strengthen the practical teaching of TCM culture, with a particular focus on female students, lower-grade students, students from non-autonomously selected majors, and those without a background in TCM, to effectively enhance their recognition of TCM culture.