{
  "abstract": "Objective: Healthcare providers' perspectives on interpreting services offer critical insights for interpreters training and policy development. In China, AI-assisted ad hoc interpreting arrangements are the status quo; however, little is known about practitioners' perspectives on this mode in cross-linguistic TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) clinical practice. This study is part of an attempt to bridge that gap.\n\nMethods: A cross-sectional qualitative study design was employed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 TCM practitioners, and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis.\n\nResults: Six themes were identified from the data: information loss and diagnostic uncertainty; when equivalence fails, inequivalence emerges; redistribution of power and trust relations; communication barriers and professional identity erosion; necessary but suboptimal; and beyond interpreting toward understanding.\n\nConclusions: TCM practitioners reported considerable drawbacks in using “ ad hoc +AI” mode, with implications for clinical compromise and erosion of professional identity. There is a need for professional interpreting services to ensure that all individuals seeking TCM care can receive equitable care.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "School of International Studies, Shandong Youth University of Political Science",
    "School of International Journalism and Communication, Beijing Foreign Studies University",
    "School of Interpreting and Translation, Beijing International Studies University"
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 2,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Bowen Geng"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1,
        2
      ],
      "name": "Shan Zhu"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/csmrdqv0wdq1v.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3389/fpubh.2026.1939217",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13689635",
  "id": "csmrdqv0wdq1v",
  "issns": [
    "2296-2565"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1939217/full",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "3600|Interpreting and Communication in Healthcare"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7215066115",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13689635?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13689635",
  "pmid": "42924203",
  "published": "2026-10-01",
  "publisher": "Frontiers Media SA",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/csmrdqv0wdq1v.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:20:22Z",
      "native_id": "10.3389/fpubh.2026.1939217",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1939217/full"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:20:36Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42924203",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42924203"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "issn:2296-2565",
      "subfield": "epidemiology-public-health"
    }
  ],
  "title": "TCM practitioners' perspectives on AI-assisted ad hoc interpreting in China: a qualitative study",
  "title_text": "TCM practitioners' perspectives on AI-assisted ad hoc interpreting in China: a qualitative study",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:20:36Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/csmrdqv0wdq1v",
  "venue": "Frontiers in Public Health",
  "versions": []
}