Opportunities for Use of Blockchain Technology in Medicine

Abstract

Blockchain technology is a decentralized database that stores a registry of assets and transactions across a peer-to-peer computer network, which is secured through cryptography, and over time, its history gets locked in blocks of data that are cryptographically linked together and secured. So far, there have been use cases of this technology for cryptocurrencies, digital contracts, financial and public records, and property ownership. It is expected that future uses will expand into medicine, science, education, intellectual property, and supply chain management. Likely applications in the field of medicine could include electronic health records, health insurance, biomedical research, drug supply and procurement processes, and medical education. Utilization of blockchain is not without its weaknesses and currently, this technology is extremely immature and lacks public or even expert knowledge, making it hard to have a clear strategic vision of its true future potential. Presently, there are issues with scalability, security of smart contracts, and user adoption. Nevertheless, with capital investments into blockchain technology projected to reach US$400 million in 2019, health professionals and decision makers should be aware of the transformative potential that blockchain technology offers for healthcare organizations and medical practice.

The impact of blockchain technology on business models – a taxonomy and archetypal patterns

“…Studies have stressed the ability of blockchain solutions to alter and disrupt existing business models and create entirely new business models (Iansiti and Lakhani 2017). However, current research about blockchain solutions focuses on only technological aspects (Nakamoto 2008;Wang and Kogan 2018;Eyal and Sirer 2018) and its application in practice (Kshetri 2018;Jun and Vasarhelyi 2017;Radanović and Likić 2018). Research does not explain a possible influence of blockchain technology on business models and lacks empirical investigations.…”

“…Whereas the impact of blockchain technology on business models is important (Lacity 2018), current research predominantly focuses on technological aspects (Nakamoto 2008;Wang and Kogan 2018;Eyal and Sirer 2018) and its application in practice (Kshetri 2018;Jun and Vasarhelyi 2017;Radanović and Likić 2018). Examples illustrate the transformation process (Ying et al 2018;Y.…”

Blokçeyn Texnologi̇yalari: Komponentləri̇, Tətbi̇qləri̇ Və Problemləri̇

“…Blokçeyn səhiyyədə. Blokçeyn texnologiyasının səhiyyə sahəsində tətbiq üçün də böyük potensialı var, pasiyentlərə, tibbi xidmət provayderlərinə və səhiyyə təşkilatlarına rəqəmsal verilənləri təhlükəsiz şəkildə mübadilə etməyə imkan verir [34][35][36]. Məsələn, Estoniya vətəndaşlarının elektron tibb kartları blokçeyn texnologiyasından istifadə etməklə idarə edilir [25].…”

On the Emerging Area of Biocybersecurity and Relevant Considerations

“…Some rising platforms even call into question the contemporary understanding of typical cybersecurity processes and could circumvent typical security at the cost of creating entirely new (and unforeseen) problems that arise from biological matter and the application of medicine being used to perform computations [1,4]. An entire new group of subdisciplines may be needed to understand the unknown complications that arise from use of these platforms [5]. All these features of modern healthcare and technology combine, meaning, that biological data can be applied in more ways.…”