OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cognition status for the rational application of Chinese patent medicine among different categories of medical personnel

analyze the existing problems

so as to provide reference for further research on the countermeasures of rational application of Chinese patent medicine. METHODS: Through interview and guidance by experts

a survey questionnaire was developed to investigate the cognition status on the rational application of Chinese patent medicine among medical personnel in Beijing and nationwide

the survey results were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Totally 791 medical personnel participated into this survey

including physicians and pharmacists of traditional Chinese medicine

physicians and pharmacists of western medicine

and nurses. There were differences in the medication cognition on Chinese patent medicine among medical personnel with different categories and working time

the medication cognition of pharmacists of traditional Chinese medicine was significantly better than that of physicians of traditional Chinese medicine

physicians and pharmacists of western medicine

and nurses

with statistically significant differences（ P<0. 001）. The differences in medication cognition scores among medical personnel with different working time were statistically significant（ P<0. 001）

medical personnel with working time <5 years had relatively poor medication cognition on Chinese patent medicine. In terms of the cognition on western medicine ingredients contained in Chinese patent medicine

47. 79% of medical personnel（ 378 cases） had high cognition degree

45. 64%（ 361 cases） had moderate cognition degree and 6. 57%（ 52 cases） had low cognition degree; the cognition of pharmacists was significantly better than that of physicians and nurses

with statistically significant differences（ P < 0. 001）. In terms of cognition on contraindications of Chinese patent medicine

23. 51% of medical personnel（ 186 cases） had high cognition degree

50. 70%（ 401 cases） had moderate cognition degree and 25. 79%（ 204 cases） had low cognition degree; the cognition of pharmacists of traditional Chinese medicine was significantly better than that of the other four types of medical personnel

with statistically significant differences（ P < 0. 05）. In terms of cognition on evidence-based medication

40. 08% of medical personnel（ 317 cases） had high cognition degree

44. 37%（ 351 cases） had moderate cognition degree and 15. 55%（ 123 cases） had low cognition degree; the cognition of medical personnel of Chinese patent medicine was significantly better than that of other medical personnel

with statistically significant differences（ P<0. 001）. CONCLUSIONS: There are differences in cognition on the rational application of Chinese patent medicine among different categories of medical personnel

and the cognition is poorer among medical personnel with less working years. It is necessary to provide targeted training on the medication knowledge of Chinese patent medicine to medical personnel according to different working years and job categories

so as to give full play to the professional advantages of clinical pharmacists of traditional Chinese medicine and strengthen the guidance on clinical application of Chinese patent medicine.