Patient-Centric Blockchain Model for Healthcare Data Security using Off-Chain IPFS Storage and ZKP

Abstract

In this work, a patient-centric paradigm utilizing IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) storage, blockchain technology, and Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) is proposed for handling healthcare data. Traditional healthcare data management systems frequently encounter interoperability, data security, and privacy issues. The technology guarantees safe, decentralized storage and convenient access to medical records by integrating blockchain with IPFS, while ZKPs offer strong privacy protection by permitting key verification without disclosing sensitive information. A framework is proposed that allows healthcare organizations to manage decentralized, tamper-proof healthcare ledgers. Hospitals and doctors are lightweight nodes, although patient nodes may be full or lightweight nodes. The suggested model aims to manage health data through off-chain storage. The technique, which is built on IPFS, protects the blockchain architecture from problems related to scalability. ZKPs also assist in recovering the patient's keys in case they are misplaced or forgotten. With the least amount of effort, the strategy attempts to address and mitigate the patient-centric model's deficits. This method improves efficiency and confidence in healthcare data management while simultaneously giving people ownership over their data. Additionally, the healthcare system is made more resilient, scalable, and safe while protecting patient privacy by integrating blockchain technology with IPFS.