Blockchain technology for efficient data management in healthcare system: Opportunity, challenges and future perspectives

Abstract

The healthcare data management system faces critical challenges related to data transparency, traceability, immutability, auditing, secure data provenance, and trust. This study aimed to provide a prospective overview of how blockchain technology can efficiently improve medical record management. Blockchain technology, an emerging and disruptive decentralized technology, is poised to impact the way data is handled in the healthcare industry significantly. As a result of this technology, we can fill out a patient's medical record efficiently and validated. Blockchain helps form a single network in which different organizations can safely share their records by forming a chain by linking it privately to store records like radiographic or different images. Blockchain-based digital platforms allow patients to interact with their data providers, including healthcare providers, in a seamless, fast and simple way. Numerous open research challenges, which we identify and explore, are inhibiting the successful implementation of blockchain in the healthcare sector. In this chapter, we have discussed the way that Electronic Medical Records is managed by blockchain, and this novel technology can be used in creating an efficient as well as interoperation infrastructure that helps in maintaining the record of patients that deals in improving the healthcare outcomes at the same time it also maintains its integrity and privacy of the essential data. We also discuss both existing and recent developments of management data in healthcare based on the blockchain model. We highlight the primary benefits of implementing blockchain technology, as well as the potential for healthcare companies. We highlight a range of healthcare applications have been demonstrated using recent research and case studies. The present study identifies and explains several outstanding issues that slow the adoption of blockchain technology in health care. Finally, we propose many more research topics for discussion and investigation.