Core Insights - The article discusses the rapid advancement of medical imaging data sharing among hospitals in China, with 20 provinces having completed the deployment of medical insurance imaging cloud software by October 2023, aiming for nationwide data sharing by the end of 2027 [1] Group 1: Policy and Implementation - The implementation of the guidelines issued by the National Health Commission and other departments on November 27, 2024, has set a clear timeline and roadmap for mutual recognition of medical examination results [1] - The National Medical Insurance Administration has incentivized hospitals to upload imaging data to the cloud platform by reducing the price of related radiological examination items by 5 yuan if they fail to provide compliant digital imaging services [1] Group 2: Challenges and Concerns - There are concerns regarding the misuse of medical big data due to local governments treating the imaging cloud platform as an economic development opportunity, potentially compromising patient privacy and national data security [2] - Some local governments are attempting to build advanced imaging cloud platforms without a proper funding mechanism, which may burden public hospitals already under financial pressure [2] - The lack of ongoing operational management for the imaging cloud platforms, as local government departments focus only on initial construction, leads to maintenance issues and inefficiencies [2] Group 3: Solutions and Recommendations - Two approaches are suggested for addressing the funding mechanism for imaging cloud platforms: an administrative approach that allows savings from reduced healthcare costs to support platform operations, and a market-oriented approach that involves third-party operators in data commercialization [2][3] - High-quality imaging diagnostics face challenges, such as limited data retention periods and inconsistent equipment standards across hospitals, which can affect the accuracy of diagnoses and treatment [3][4] - A differentiated data storage strategy is recommended, where critical imaging data is retained longer than less relevant data, to balance long-term patient management needs with short-term verification requirements [4]