Blockchain in healthcare – practical applications

Blockchain in healthcare

 

Technology can have a particularly good impact on the healthcare industry – and there still are many fields for improvement. If you’re wondering how exactly can it help

A few years ago, Blockchain was just a niche solution used mainly by crypto-enthusiasts. Today, it’s a full-blown technology rooted in the mainstream. More and more corporations choose to incorporate it in their structures as an efficient alternative to centralized databases. And even though it’s mainly associated with the financial market due to its connection to Bitcoin, Blockchain works for other industries as well. Healthcare can be a good example. 

Today, we’ll focus on the opportunities in this sector that Blockchain brings for this industry. But first, let’s briefly summarize what it is, really, and how it differs from regular databases.

Blockchain in a nutshell

Speaking briefly, Blockchain is a decentralized, distributed database (or, in other words, ledger) that stores data in blocks, as the name suggests. The blocks are chained together using cryptographic features.

Contrary to the centralized databases, Blockchain gives a guarantee that the data is unchangeable – the chain grows one-way, and all the actions once encrypted cannot be modified or deleted. That makes it much harder to remove or steal data.

Blockchain in healthcare – what are the possibilities of its adoption?

The decentralization of the database brings tangible benefits for financial app users, but it’s also extremely useful for the healthcare industry. That’s because it often deals with confidential data, and the decentralized structure of the database secures it. Blockchain Bitcoin History is transparent yet private (unless you choose a public platform), so the patient records can be safely stored and transferred within it. It allows protecting the patient’s identity that is essential in times of increased risk of cyberattacks. 

The digital transformation generates opportunities for the healthcare industry but also challenges related to data management. Blockchain can serve for securing the record of the origin. It allows restricting access to the documentation to the authorized caregivers. 

There are various platforms available on the market that specialize in securing medical records with Blockchain technology. However, in the case you want a tailor-made solution in line with the existing system, we recommend reaching out for Blockchain development services. An experienced company will help you integrate blockchain technology into your application in order to make healthcare services more secure.