Secure, Reliable and Transparent Patient-Centered Health Record Management Framework Using Blockchain Technology

Abstract

The Internet of Things, widely known as IoT, has multitudinous applications in medical sciences. However, IoT does not support decentralized, immutable, distributed-ledger properties like Blockchain technology. The amalgamation of the up-to-the-minute healthcare sector with Blockchain not only enables the healthcare authorities but also the patients and other stakeholders like the insurance policymakers. Since Blockchain is a public distributed-ledger database, it makes the accessibility of healthcare-related data easier. The stringent security that Blockchain provides because of its strictly immutable property helps safeguard the privacy of healthcare records. This paper elucidates the application of Blockchain Technology in healthcare sectors. Besides, a framework for a Blockchain-based healthcare system is developed and implemented for uplifting the functioning of healthcare industries where the patients' healthcare records can be secured in a decentralized and distributed ledger platform hence minimizing the superfluous expenditure which occurs due to repeated diagnosis, re-prescribing and repurchasing of medicines. Our intent is also to pre-empt the wastage of time which occurs due to the same actions as that of the unnecessary outlay.