Hospital Information Systems in Malaysia: Current Issues and Blockchain Technology as a Solution

Abstract

Healthcare data is seen as a very useful source of information that may help healthcare systems become more intelligent and enhance the quality of services delivered. The main aim of this paper is to outline present challenges in hospital information systems while also highlighting the potential for blockchain technology to address these issues in Malaysian healthcare. It begins by reviewing current hospital information systems and the issues that health providers face, specifically concerning data security, patient life-long health records, and healthcare information sharing. These problems in handling healthcare data have forced the implementation of a system that would offer medical professionals access to up-to-date healthcare information. Blockchain technology has sparked interest in the healthcare industry as a potential solution, particularly after the technology was successfully implemented in the finance sector to increase the security of financial transactions using digital currencies such as Bitcoin. Furthermore, this paper discusses the possible technological, organizational, and environmental constraints that may impact Malaysia's adoption of blockchain-based hospital information systems. This study may serve as the foundation for a series of studies investigating, assessing, and answering such requirements of blockchain-based hospital information systems in Malaysia. Additionally, this study may help in policy and decision-making procedures for reliable and sustainable hospital information systems in Malaysian healthcare organizations.