The blockchain is the distributed system where the transaction and sharing of the data is recorded and stored in a digital ledger. It works with the help of cryptographic techniques which allow participants to interact with each other. This interaction and sharing of the data is kept secured and to do this blockchain system keep the information within participants only and no authority works for it. Individuals need verification to get the data.
Blockchain in the healthcare field has been maintained with the issued policies and components which enable the nationwide interoperability. These policies mainly are- the secured infrastructure of the network of the blockchain; the storing of the verifiable identity and the authentication of the participants, and a consistent and transparent authorization of accessing system to the electronic health information records.
Integrity and security of the big data of the healthcare industries
As the patients are increasing, the information regarding the treatment, diagnosis and patient’s experience and need, is increasing. To store and process these big data, health organizations use several tools like the patient health information (PHI) recorder, the electronic health records (EHR), the medical insurance claims, the internet of things (IOT) devices and other monitoring systems.
This big data will be a great help in ensuring the quality of medical services when this data can be kept and stored safely. For this security, blockchain works the best. It stores the data integrity. Once the data is encrypted to record and store, blockchain system makes it impossible to change or hack any data or information.
Another method of security
Blockchain uses another approach to secure data and the approach is the data anchoring. If the data are anchored in the public blockchain, it can generate the data integrity. In this method, people do not need to depend on any third parties to check any information regarding their needs. It allows the public to verify the PHI integrity, to perform the medical audits keeping it unchanged, and to reduce the expense of the audit ensuring the regulatory compliances. This method proves the clinical research result integrity and the safety of the data.
Other blockchain standards of security
The blockchain uses the more secure encryption system than any other encryption modules. It uses new technological inventions as its new standards to manage the PHI, the insurance claims, and the medical records. It does not allow any intermediation at the time of the data sharing which helps to increase the awareness of the benefits of the cryptography.
Transparent data
Within the security and integrity of data, the most important benefit of blockchain in the healthcare field is the transparency of the data. Blockchain can provide the data transparency at 55.2% level. It will be understood if we see the financial sector management by the blockchain.
Blockchain provides a decentralized ownership system to record each transaction made by this system. This system stores every detail of the transaction from the beginning of the data block formation to the ending of any digits. Each and every device of this system records the detail of every transaction. In every transaction, the system confirms if any version of the blockchain coincides with another. So, every user can identify the owner of a certain block of the data. It gives the full security in transactions and also in sharing data.
The acceptance of blockchain in healthcare
The unfortunate news is that many medical organizations hesitate to use it for the lack of their knowledge about the blockchain. One-third part of the responsible personnel is still continuing their educational activities. So, responsible organizations should spread out the information about the blockchain use among the health caregivers.
The healthcare industries get confused to set the blockchain in their system and demand for several milestones or trials before adopting it. They also demand the technical proof of the concept at least at 65.4%, the security proof at 38.5%, the regulatory approval at 23.1% and the privacy proof at 34.6%.
In fact, the main reason behind the hesitation of the health caregivers to use the blockchain is the lack of knowledge about the technology and its benefits and its reliability.
Health caregivers and service providers need examples of the implementation of blockchain in this field. Then they will understand the value and satisfy themselves to encourage about using blockchain. There are examples of using blockchain in the healthcare facilities and researches like drug traceability of blockchain system, giving data security in the clinical trials made by the researchers and drug developers, and in the management system of the patients’ data.
There is a huge possibility of improvement in the healthcare field by using the blockchain. Blockchain can transform the healthcare system by placing patients in the healthcare ecosystem as the center point with the most secured health data. This technology has the potential to provide the latest model to exchange health information through the electronic medical recording process. This will open the door of progress for the new age by increasing the field for further experimentation, effective investment, and also for concept testing. In the long run, the nationwide blockchain system provides the broad network to improve the support and the efficiencies through electronic medical data records which will make the better result and outcome for patients.