How Blockchain Technology will Change the eHealth Industry

Opinion Article by Michael Krusche, founder and CEO of K&C.
Let's imagine a world where all medical information about a patient is securely kept within a single system, and they can share it with any healthcare professional, without red tape. Until now, such a dream has been impossible. With the help of blockchain, however, all of that will change.

Blockchain was first implemented in the cryptocurrency world as the technology that allowed Bitcoin to operate. Its principles are now applied in many fields and for different purposes.

Current Attitudes Towards Blockchain in the Medical Realm

Healthcare is where the blockchain revolution is just starting to ignite. According to the report IT Innovation Efforts at Hospitals and Health Systems, a whopping 48% of respondents regarded blockchain technology’s potential to be grossly overestimated. They expressed their scepticism in either complete disregard for IT novelties, such as blockchain technology, or choosing risk-averse areas to innovate. In contrast to this negativity, there is a growing group of e-health enthusiasts. When the 200 top healthcare executives were surveyed in 2017, as many as 16% expected to have a commercial blockchain solution already, and 56% expected one by 2020. They plan to partner up with IT vendors, support e-health startups, and bring IT expertise to internal processes.

Yet, figuring out who’s right and whether a blockchain is really a silver bullet is a little more complicated. It has become increasingly difficult to differentiate hype around blockchain from the facts.

Areas Blockchain can Improve

Blockchains are distributed systems that log transaction records on linked blocks and store them on an encrypted digital ledger. In such an industry, blockchain can dramatically improve healthcare by providing a cost-efficient and secure way to manage patient data. When applied to healthcare, the technology can improve the following areas:
  • Supply chain management. In terms of pharmaceutical supply, where counterfeit drugs exist, blockchain can provide a proper ledger to ensure patient safety and logging of pharmaceutical purchases.
  • Billing management. According to healthcare analysts from Frost & SullivanHealth Practice, 5-10% of all medical bills are fabricated. Distributed ledger technology would eliminate the fabrication of medical bills and provide a more sturdy record for medical history.
  • Medical research. The majority of clinical trial records are not properly documented. The blockchain system can improve the situation, providing detailed reporting and transparency of results.
  • Data security. With the help of smart contracts based on blockchain systems, all personal information regarding treatment can be securely saved and handled, eliminating data breaches.

Right Approach Guarantees Success

Uncertainty around the technology has caused concern that poorly developed blockchain technology adopted by healthcare providers can lead to a catastrophe, such as system failure due to becoming a subject to security exploits.

However, as they say, it is a poor craftsman who blames his tools. With the correct approach, it will not take long before blockchain is optimized for the healthcare industry. Here’s what needs to be done to optimize the process for those interested:

  • Setquestions to IT professionals
  • Introduce a blockchain only when it’s completely tested
  • Compare such a new technology to the previous solution

The healthcare industry will benefit hugely from such groundbreaking, advanced technology to help improve its ability to provide the patient care. And it is only a question of time when using blockchain will become mainstream.

About Michael Krusche

Michael Krusche is a founder and CEO of K&C. With more than 20 years of experience in the IT field, Michael has both a passion and reputation for helping grow businesses through digital transformation. One of these areas he is passionate about is the healthcare sector. Michael has created leading IT solutions for healthcare businesses and K&C team is ready to do the same for you today.

https://kruschecompany.com

Most Popular Now

Researchers Find Telemedicine may Help R…

Low-value care - medical tests and procedures that provide little to no benefit to patients - contributes to excess medical spending and both direct and cascading harms to patients. A...

AI may Help Clinicians Personalize Treat…

Individuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), a condition characterized by daily excessive worry lasting at least six months, have a high relapse rate even after receiving treatment. Artificial intelligence (AI)...

Accelerating NHS Digital Maturity: Paper…

Digitised clinical noting at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is creating efficiencies for busy doctors and nurses. The trust’s CCIO Dr Andrew Adair, deputy CCIO Dr John Greenaway, and...

Mobile App Tracking Blood Pressure Helps…

The AHOMKA platform, an innovative mobile app for patient-to-provider communication that developed through a collaboration between the School of Engineering and leading medical institutions in Ghana, has yielded positive results...

Can AI Help Detect Cognitive Impairment?

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) can be an early indicator of Alzheimer's disease or dementia, so identifying those with cognitive issues early could lead to interventions and better outcomes. But diagnosing...

AI can Open Up Beds in the ICU

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals frequently ran short of beds in intensive care units. But even earlier, ICUs faced challenges in keeping beds available. With an aging...

Customized Smartphone App Shows Promise …

A growing body of research indicates that older adults in assisted living facilities can delay or even prevent cognitive decline through interventions that combine multiple activities, such as improving diet...

New Study Shows Promise for Gamified mHe…

A new study published in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders highlights the potential of More Stamina, a gamified mobile health (mHealth) app designed to help people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)...

AI Model Predicting Two-Year Risk of Com…

AFib (short for atrial fibrillation), a common heart rhythm disorder in adults, can have disastrous consequences including life-threatening blood clots and stroke if left undetected or untreated. A new study...

Patients' Affinity for AI Messages …

In a Duke Health-led survey, patients who were shown messages written either by artificial intelligence (AI) or human clinicians indicated a preference for responses drafted by AI over a human...

New Research Explores How AI can Build T…

In today’s economy, many workers have transitioned from manual labor toward knowledge work, a move driven primarily by technological advances, and workers in this domain face challenges around managing non-routine...

AI Tool Helps Predict Who will Benefit f…

A study led by UCLA investigators shows that artificial intelligence (AI) could play a key role in improving treatment outcomes for men with prostate cancer by helping physicians determine who...