Characteristics of a Blockchain Ecosystem for Secure and Sharable Electronic Medical Records

Abstract

Blockchain technology is a secure and distributed information accounting, storage, and retrieval modality which has the ability to disrupt and revolutionize business practices. One such disruption resides in the capability of Blockchain to serve as a secure method for storing and sharing electronic medical records in new and innovative ways. Current medical record storage and transmission methods are proprietary and have interoperability and security problems. To that end, secure, effective, and interoperable electronic records options are highly prized. This article uses a grounded theory approach to qualitative analysis of electronic medical records users in the United States to develop a perspective from industry and scholarly practice on the suitability of Blockchain technologies for electronic medical records, security, and storage.