Determinants of Chinese physicians’ engagement in narrative medicine: a comprehensive SEM-ANN analysis

Purpose The implementation of narrative medicine (NM) holds significant implications for multiple stakeholders in healthcare, necessitating investigation into clinicians’ behavioral intention (BI) toward NM practice. This study employs the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to identify predictors of Chinese clinicians’ NM practice intentions, extending the theoretical framework through incorporation of external variables—Perceived Organizational Support (POS) and Perceived Informal Organizational Support (PIOS). Patients and methods Data collected from 855 Chinese clinicians validated the theoretical model. The hybrid model of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) demonstrated superior predictive accuracy, successfully capturing both linear associations and nonlinear interactions among variables. Phase I utilized SEM to identify intention predictors, while Phase II applied ANN to rank predictors’ relative importance. Furthermore, conducting K-means clustering (optimal K = 4 determined by Elbow Method and Silhouette Coefficient) using ATT, SN, PBC, and PIOS as inputs to establish a “Psychological Motivation-Behavioral Intention” coupling profile. Chi-square tests examined distribution differences across organizational contexts. Results Perceived behavioral control (PBC) was the strongest BI predictor, followed by PIOS, subjective norms (SN), and attitudes (ATT), with POS being non-significant. Four distinct profiles emerged: “Moderately Engaged, Moderately Intent” (Cluster 1), “Attitudinally Compliant, Structurally suppressed” (Cluster 2), “Cognitively Engaged, Moderately Intent” (Cluster 3), and “Fully Engaged, High-Intent” (Cluster 4). Distribution varied significantly across hospital levels ( χ 2 = 22.297, p = 0.001) and departments ( χ 2 = 26.240, p = 0.036), with Cluster 2 predominant in emergency/pediatrics and Cluster 4 dominant in surgery. Conclusion ATT, SN, PBC, and PIOS positively influenced physicians’ NM behavioral intention. The motivation-intention coupling profiles reveal heterogeneity in practice potential, offering theoretical-practical insights for targeted interventions.