Professional Medical Associations as Intermediaries in Integrated Maternal and Child Health Governance in China: An AI-Assisted Single-Reviewer Scoping Review

Background: Professional medical associations can connect specialist expertise with service organisations, yet their contribution to maternal and child health (MCH) governance remains poorly understood. Objective: To map associations’ intermediary roles in mainland China and examine the evidence linking their activities to integrated care. Methods: This AI-assisted, single-reviewer scoping review used targeted, iterative searches of bibliographic, journal, government, association and partner sources, supplemented by citation tracing. JBI guidance informed eligibility and charting; PRISMA-ScR informed reporting. One human reviewer made final eligibility and coding decisions and verified material AI-assisted outputs. Synthesis examined organisational actions, relationships, integration mechanisms, evidence stages and accountability. Results: The principal pathways concerned midwifery training and assessment, postpartum standards and institutional review, early essential newborn care, and gestational diabetes management. Sources documented standards, training systems, implementation networks and site assessment. Empirical findings concerned immediate learning, perceived capability and self-reported practice. Evidence of association-specific service or health effects was limited. Public influence over governance, equitable benefit and institutional interest management were less clearly documented. Conclusions: Associations provide organisational means of translating expertise into coordinated professional action. Their contribution should be evaluated through specific implementation pathways, with attention to mandate, representation, participation and accountability.