Advances in blockchain technology have the potential to revolutionize the healthcare industry by providing robust, secure, transparent and efficient systems for storing, managing and sharing electronic protected health information (ePHI). The decentralized nature of blockchain technology removes intermediaries and ensures sensitive data remains private while still being accessible to authorized parties.
Enhanced data security is one of the main advantages of adopting blockchain in healthcare. Because patient information is so sensitive, healthcare businesses are frequently targeted by cyberattacks. Even a small data leak can have catastrophic repercussions. Blockchain makes it considerably more difficult for hackers to access patient data because it is encrypted and can be stored in a decentralized manner.
Efficiency gains are another advantage of implementing blockchain in healthcare. Lack of interoperability, which makes it challenging to transfer information between several companies, frequently bogs down traditional healthcare systems. Blockchain enables the safe exchange of patient data between healthcare professionals, eliminating the need for human data entry and accelerating the diagnosis process.
Blockchain technology can decrease healthcare expenditures in addition to enhancing data security and efficiency. Blockchain technology can simplify the claims process and lower administrative costs by getting rid of middlemen like data input and claims processors. (1.) Blockchain can also aid in preventing costly and time-consuming duplicate tests and procedures by enhancing data sharing between healthcare practitioners.
(2.)One of the most promising applications of blockchain in healthcare is in the area of clinical trials. Clinical trials are essential for the development of new drugs and treatments, but they can be time-consuming and costly. (3.)With blockchain, clinical trial data can be securely shared and stored in a decentralized manner, reducing the risk of data tampering and making it easier for researchers to access the data they need.
Having the ability to track the full lifecycle of prescription medication from manufacturing to delivery to a patient is another area where blockchain just makes sense. It can be a safe, highly secure record of a drug’s supply chain, all the way from the manufacturer to the pharmacy and patient. This can reduce the chance of illegal medications entering the supply chain and helps ensure that patients are given the genuine medications.
Finally, by providing patients more control over their own health data, blockchain technology has the potential to enhance patient outcomes. Patients can use blockchain to keep their own health data in a safe, decentralized manner and provide healthcare providers access as necessary. In addition to giving patients more control over their own data, this also lowers the possibility of medical errors and ensures
The potential applications of blockchain technology in the healthcare sector are vast and diverse. Blockchain technology has the potential to improve the way healthcare is provided in a number of ways, including by enhancing data security and efficiency, boosting productivity, ultimately lowering healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes. Even though there are still obstacles to be addressed, such as the adoption of standardized data structures and the creation of a strong regulatory framework, the advantages of blockchain technology in healthcare are too significant to ignore.
1. https://www.healthit.gov/sites/default/files/11-74-ablockchainforhealthcare.pdf
2. https://trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-017-2035-z
3. https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/mayo-clinic-use-blockchain-hypertension-clinical-trial
