Blockchain in the healthcare sector: how does it benefit it?
Blockchain technology is implemented in multiple areas. When we think of this tool, it is common to relate it to the financial field in terms of Bitcoins and Cryptocurrency for secure transactions. The blockchain allows the exchange of data and transactions in a secure manner, thus generating an increase in data reliability.
This network is composed by nodes which register all the movements made. Each of them is encrypted and linked at the time of transfer between blocks. In the healthcare sector, blockchain is present in different aspects. First of all, it collaborates with the management of health passports and facilitates telemedicine: when a remote consultation is needed, or when it is necessary to travel and need medication or treatment – as we have seen in the previous article – a database comes into play for any emergency. The patient’s medical history must be available, and within these documents, there is sensitive information that has to be protected. The blockchain mediates this process, generating trust and security when transferring data. Samsung has currently developed a blockchain for the creation of health passports which drives the development and efficiency of telemedicine across borders. Another aspect in which we can see the implementation of blockchain in the health sector is in the verification of medicines: here the blockchain is used to store the information of the drugs, avoiding adulteration and counterfeiting.
Many companies rely on this security method for data protection. One example is Medicalchain. This project was developed with an ICO and aims to put patients in control of their own medical data and enable them to share a single version with organizations in their medical network. Thanks to IBM’s Hyperledger technology, medical records are tracked and patients can share them through the MyClinic.com App. Another project, related to the second aspect mentioned above, is BlockPharma: through an app, this project focuses on providing a solution to track medications online. This helps to alert pharmacists and laboratories in case a fake drug is found.
Blockchain collaborates with different specialties in the healthcare sector, increasing the quality of service as it becomes safer and more efficient and not only benefits doctors but also patients, improving their experience.
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