Navigating interoperability in block chain-integrated electronic health records: Challenges, benchmarks, and evaluation perspectives

Abstract

Abstract: The widespread adoption of Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems has improved clinical documentation and provided easier access to patient information in modern healthcare environments. However, a large number of healthcare information systems are in a fragmented state, creating barriers for information exchange. Blockchain technology has been identified as a secure and distributed method for managing patient information. Despite its benefits, incorporating blockchain technology into healthcare systems is confronted by interoperability challenges, including technical, semantic, and organizational aspects that limit information sharing among heterogeneous platforms. This study identifies interoperability challenges in blockchain-based healthcare architectures. A three-layer evaluation framework is developed, including performance metrics. A systematic review of recent blockchain-based healthcare architectures is conducted to guide the framework's development. This study aims to provide a valuable methodology for healthcare system architects to evaluate interoperability readiness before deployment, including potential research areas. Keywords: Block chain Technology, Electronic Health Records, Healthcare Interoperability, Distributed Ledger Technology, Health Information Exchange.