A Blockchain Framework for Secure Healthcare Data Management Using Role-Based Access Control and Smart Contracts

Abstract

This paper presents a novel framework for secure and scalable healthcare data management using blockchain technology. The framework uniquely integrates role-based access control (RBAC), smart contracts, and the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) to address critical challenges in data privacy, scalability, and compliance with regulations such as HIPAA and GDPR. Unlike existing systems, our approach automates access control through smart contracts, ensuring real-time validation of user roles and patient consent. Additionally, IPFS provides scalable storage for large healthcare datasets, maintaining data integrity and accessibility while offloading the blockchain. Simulated results demonstrate the framework’s capability to validate access requests within 350 ms, retrieve data efficiently, and scale to handle increasing user loads This work offers a robust foundation for future deployment in healthcare networks, enabling privacy-compliant and efficient data management.