When access ≠ acceptance: How clinical specialty demands shape mutual recognition on medical examination/test result reuse in Chinese hospitals: A study on a pilot province of China’s medical digital reform

This study reveals a critical distinction between access to external medical records and their actual clinical recognition, demonstrating that information interventions alone are insufficient to improve the recognition rates. Clinical specialty-specific factors significantly influence recognition behaviors, reflecting variations in data utility, stability, and diagnostic practices. Institutional success in promoting mutual recognition depends on comprehensive, multi-level strategies. The IRSP exemplifies China's progress in health data interoperability, yet sustainable mutual recognition ultimately hinges on clinical relevance rather than mere accessibility.