Blockchain technology is only beginning to make its value known in the healthcare sector. It could be the most important disruption in medical for decades.
Data storage (medical record management)
While it might seem like doctors should be able to universally access your patient data, this isn’t quite the case. In fact, it can be difficult for medical practices to access your historical patient information. This can be solved through blockchain-backed technology that provides a single source of truth and enables interoperability between practices.
This can also be adjusted to allow patients to have control over their own data: what they share with who, and when.
Wearable technology in healthcare
We’ve discussed the power of wearable technology and blockchain before, especially in aged care. Blockchain and wearable technology could change the medical sector for the better, transforming monitoring to be live, decentralised and permanent.
Wearable technology is also key in preventative care. This is, again, particularly suited to the elderly; however, it can be key in any medical care, including the early detection of diseases or other health problems. These wearable technologies can also motivate people with preventative diseases to change their habits and adopt healthier practices.
Aged care
The aged care sector is in need of technological change. This includes better monitoring and surveillance of care. In this way, we can secure data, take in information from a variety of sources, and consolidate it on the blockchain. This allows for medical care and relatives to be informed, live, when an elderly person is in danger.
It can also ensure that elderly patients are safe and well cared for.
Medical rules, standards and permissions
There are varying health and medical standards globally. Blockchain provides interoperability so that records can be exchanged between systems without difficulty.
According to Deloitte, “The current state of health care records is disjointed and stovepiped due to a lack of common architectures and standards.” The implementation of blockchain in healthcare could solve this.
It provides an avenue towards national – and global – interoperability, whereby the technology ensures that data is not limited by location and customers are not constrained to one practice.
The uses of blockchain in healthcare seem endless. Blockchain will bring transparency and accountability into the healthcare sector and ultimately allow patients to have more control over their own data and assured care.
At Blockhead, we’re always looking into different ways to optimise the power of data. To find out more, click here.