Blockchain and its importance in Healthcare



Healthcare data can be complex – in part due to the non-linear nature of diagnosis and treatment, and also due to differing healthcare standards across regions in the world. Additionally, data privacy and other related laws can make healthcare information difficult to access and share. So much so that in many countries, including India, a patient may not have complete access to his/ her medical record.
Considering that the next paradigm shift in healthcare is expected to come from the adoption of digital technologies – whether for patient experience or improved efficiency of hospital tasks – it is important to address current challenges around data sharing and access, lest they become hurdles to progress. In that context, block chain could be a savior for the industry.

Block chain is continuously growing list of records, called blocks, which are linked and secured using cryptography. Each block contains, typically, a link to a previous block, a timestamp and the transaction data. Transactions have to be approved by all users of the block chain to be stored and modifying an older block of data is impossible. Only updating of future records is permissible making the system secure and therefore reliable. This also means, an entire block chain can serve as a secure ledge that records transactions, negating the need for multiple disparate trails of information.
Indian healthcare has the most to gain from the adoption of blockchain technology. For starters, blockchain allows all types of data to be integrated into the chain. This means one can add not just doctor prescriptions and treatment records but also nutrition information, fitness data, and recording from medical devices by patients themselves. Over time the presence of such longitudinal patient data means care givers can better interpret disease symptoms and prescribe effective treatment that is customized to work for the patient. Currently, doctors rely on data from treating different patients to prescribe medication. The chances of success for such medication are about 50%. In many cases, doctors wait for feedback from patients to change the medication. With availability of longitudinal patient data, doctors would know in advance what treatments are more likely to suit a patient in line with their health history.

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