How digitalisation and emerging artificial intelligence shape cultural adaptability and lifelong learning among postpartum caregivers: a qualitative study in southern China
- 1Guangzhou Institute of Science and Technology, Guangzhou, China
- 2Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
Abstract
Objectives To explore how digitalisation and emerging artificial intelligence (AI) shape cultural adaptability and lifelong learning among professional postpartum caregivers (yuesao) in China.Design A descriptive thematic qualitative study using semi-structured interviews, analysed through Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic analysis and informed by cultural-historical activity theory.Setting A vocational school specialising in postpartum healthcare in a coastal city of Guangdong Province, southern China.Participants We invited 16 practising yuesao (0.5–5 years of experience) and 5 trainers (3–10 years of experience). Participants were purposively sampled for diversity in age, educational level and years of experience. All had used Panda Cloud Classroom as part of their training.Interventions None.Results Three core themes emerged: (1) cultural adaptability as negotiated cultural capital in performing zuo yuezi, involving balancing tradition and modernity, regional knowledge and emotional labour; (2) hybrid digital—in-person training constrained by a persistent digital divide related to literacy and infrastructure and (3) informal and formal pathways for lifelong learning, including peer communities and certification programmes. Digital platforms improved access and flexibility, yet human instructors remained essential for resolving tradition-modernity tensions and managing emotional labour with families. Participants reported only minimal exposure to basic AI features such as content recommendations; their views on advanced applications (eg, regionally tailored adaptive systems) were therefore speculative and aspirational, not evidence of demonstrated benefit.Conclusions Digital tools enhance flexibility in yuesao training but cannot fully replace human instructors in culturally sensitive caregiving. Unresolved contradictions between national digitalisation policies and unequal infrastructure limit expansive learning. Findings support tiered digital literacy programmes and formalised mentorship rather than premature reliance on AI. Because this is a single-site qualitative study, the findings are transferable to similar contexts rather than generalisable. Future research should include employing families and cross-regional comparisons.
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BibTeX
@article{wang2026digitalisation,
title = {{How digitalisation and emerging artificial intelligence shape cultural adaptability and lifelong learning among postpartum caregivers: a qualitative study in southern China}},
author = {Jue Wang and Jun Peng},
journal = {BMJ Open},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1136/bmjopen-2026-122698},
url = {https://bmjopen.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/bmjopen-2026-122698},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - How digitalisation and emerging artificial intelligence shape cultural adaptability and lifelong learning among postpartum caregivers: a qualitative study in southern China
AU - Jue Wang
AU - Jun Peng
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/29
JO - BMJ Open
DO - 10.1136/bmjopen-2026-122698
UR - https://bmjopen.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/bmjopen-2026-122698
AB - Objectives To explore how digitalisation and emerging artificial intelligence (AI) shape cultural adaptability and lifelong learning among professional postpartum caregivers (yuesao) in China.Design A descriptive thematic qualitative study using semi-structured interviews, analysed through Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic analysis and informed by cultural-historical activity theory.Setting A vocational school specialising in postpartum healthcare in a coastal city of Guangdong Province, southern China.Participants We invited 16 practising yuesao (0.5–5 years of experience) and 5 trainers (3–10 years of experience). Participants were purposively sampled for diversity in age, educational level and years of experience. All had used Panda Cloud Classroom as part of their training.Interventions None.Results Three core themes emerged: (1) cultural adaptability as negotiated cultural capital in performing zuo yuezi, involving balancing tradition and modernity, regional knowledge and emotional labour; (2) hybrid digital—in-person training constrained by a persistent digital divide related to literacy and infrastructure and (3) informal and formal pathways for lifelong learning, including peer communities and certification programmes. Digital platforms improved access and flexibility, yet human instructors remained essential for resolving tradition-modernity tensions and managing emotional labour with families. Participants reported only minimal exposure to basic AI features such as content recommendations; their views on advanced applications (eg, regionally tailored adaptive systems) were therefore speculative and aspirational, not evidence of demonstrated benefit.Conclusions Digital tools enhance flexibility in yuesao training but cannot fully replace human instructors in culturally sensitive caregiving. Unresolved contradictions between national digitalisation policies and unequal infrastructure limit expansive learning. Findings support tiered digital literacy programmes and formalised mentorship rather than premature reliance on AI. Because this is a single-site qualitative study, the findings are transferable to similar contexts rather than generalisable. Future research should include employing families and cross-regional comparisons.
SN - 2044-6055
SN - 2044-6055
ER -