An Evaluation on the Use of Blockchain Technology in Healthcare Systems

Abstract

Recently, the emergence of blockchain techniques—and their corresponding capabilities—have been heavily discussed—particularly—within the purview of the healthcare sector. Certainly, blockchain technology could remedy a number of fundamental challenges pertaining to the electronic health record system. This paper attempts to address this gap by assessing the body of research pertaining to blockchain technology and health with a special focus on the challenges that blockchain poses. Adopting a systematic funnel approach, this paper seeks to analyze 144 articles on the challenges and importance of the technology. The aim is to reconcile the possible adverse outcomes of the health sector with the outcomes of such technologies by speculating on possible domains of blockchain technology that can be further researched in healthcare. The paper provides a thorough examination on the defining characteristics of blockchain and blockchain technology in all available literature. This background helps frame the growing body of literature on blockchain and health—approached by defining the current focus areas of research in blockchain and healthcare systems. From there, it narrows down on specific issues and pinpoints the associated blockchain solutions to healthcare systems. Ultimately, the author reflects on the looming issues of research gaps and prospective challenges of the health sector in the concluding section.