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Blockchain integration in healthcare: a comprehensive investigation of use cases, performance issues, and mitigation strategies

This study conducts a rigorous investigation into the integration of blockchain within healthcare infrastructures, specifically focusing on technical performanc

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Abstract

This study conducts a rigorous investigation into the integration of blockchain within healthcare infrastructures, specifically focusing on technical performance metrics such as throughput, latency, and resource overhead. The authors analyze a diverse set of use cases, including drug tracking, patient data sharing, and medical image exchange, to identify where performance bottlenecks occur within these implementations. A unique aspect of this research is the critical assessment of mitigation strategies, such as the use of sidechains, off-chain storage solutions, and consensus optimization techniques designed to improve system performance. By bridging the gap between theoretical application and empirical performance testing, the paper provides evidence-based insights into the feasibility of deploying blockchain in high-frequency clinical environments. The work concludes that while blockchain offers distinct advantages for data integrity, specific technical trade-offs regarding storage efficiency and transaction speed must be addressed through optimized architectural designs and layered scaling solutions. Authors: S. K. Singh, S. Singh, Y. S. Jeong Publication: Academic Paper Publication date: 2024-01-01

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Key findings

  • Direct on-chain storage of large medical files is inefficient; off-chain storage is mandatory for scalability.
  • Consensus mechanisms in permissioned blockchains can be optimized to significantly reduce latency.
  • Performance optimization must prioritize modularity to ensure integration with legacy EHR systems.
  • Specific performance bottlenecks are tied to transaction validation rates in decentralized health networks.

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Citation

S. K. Singh, S. Singh, Y. S. Jeong (2024). Blockchain integration in healthcare: a comprehensive investigation of use cases, performance issues, and mitigation strategies. Academic Paper. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/digital-health/articles/10.3389/fdgth.2024.1359858/full
Canonical knowledge ID: research:blockchain-integration-in-healthcare-a-comprehensive-investigation-of-use-cases-performance-issues-and-mitigation-strategies