By enhancing the security, privacy, and interoperability of healthcare data, blockchain technology has the potential to drastically change the healthcare sector and data processing within it. Read about possible blockchain applications in healthcare.
Electronic medical records on a blockchain
Electronic medical records (EMRs) on a blockchain can be stored securely and even shared safely between healthcare providers using blockchain technology. Because they are decentralized and protected from manipulation, EMRs on the blockchain would be more secure than conventional EMR systems and less susceptible to hacking or data breaches. But they could also more easily used to facilitate the secure sharing of clinical data among researchers, enabling them to more quickly and easily access the data they need for their studies. Hospitals and, regulators and researchers can rely on keeping the confidentiality of data, since access can be controlled. This is also true for the recorded data in medical trials. Utilizing this technology would guarantee that clinical trial data is accurate and impenetrable as it is managed and stored safely. This might enhance the validity and dependability of clinical trial findings and help researcher validate results.
Personal health records on the blockchain
By securely managing and storing personal health records on a blockchain, patients might have more control over their medical information and make it simpler to share it with healthcare professionals as needed. Also, personal access could be easier, especially in combination with systems of blockchain based identity verification. Defining who can access which data and whom to remove from the access list, or even tracking how many times data was accessed, is possible. This is by the way also a very interesting topic for health insurance companies and the freedom for the consumer to switch to another insurer, since it makes the data transfer process easier and gives the data provided to a new company a trust label.
Supply chain management in healthcare using blockchain
The manufacturing, distribution, and delivery of medical items are all handled by numerous parties within the complicated supply chain that makes up the healthcare sector. The healthcare supply chain’s transparency and traceability could be improved using blockchain, promoting the quality and safety of medical items, especially regarding certifications and legal requirements. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown, how fake medical products can cause harm, as was for example the case of medical face masks that did not meet the requirements to protect.
Summary
All things considered, the application of blockchain technology in healthcare has the potential to enhance the security, privacy, and interoperability of healthcare data, resulting in better patient outcomes and more effective healthcare systems. But adoption has to be coordinated, and one main system needs to be developed to avoid multiple different platforms that compete with each other.