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Blockchain technology in healthcare: A systematic review

The authors perform a thorough systematic review of blockchain technology applied to healthcare, examining the peer-reviewed evidence regarding its capacity to

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Abstract

The authors perform a thorough systematic review of blockchain technology applied to healthcare, examining the peer-reviewed evidence regarding its capacity to solve existing challenges in medical data management. By rigorously filtering existing studies based on clinical impact and technical viability, the review highlights that blockchain’s primary value proposition lies in secure, immutable data verification and user-centric permission management. The paper contrasts different blockchain types—permissionless vs. permissioned—and assesses their appropriateness for clinical and administrative healthcare use cases. Key insights from the review include the necessity of interoperability standards, which remain largely absent in current prototypes. The paper provides a balanced view that helps practitioners distinguish between blockchain’s potential for revolutionizing health record portability and the reality of technical deployment hurdles. It serves as a vital reference point for academic and policy-oriented discussions regarding the standardization and regulatory frameworks required to mature this sector. Authors: H. Saeed, M. A. Al-Hadhrami, A. A. Al-Hadhrami Publication: Academic Paper Publication date: 2022-01-01

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Key findings

  • Permissioned blockchains are more suitable for clinical environments due to regulatory control needs.
  • Standardized interoperability frameworks are required for cross-institutional record exchange.
  • Blockchain’s core utility is the creation of a trust-minimized, immutable, and verifiable health record layer.
  • Patient-centric models represent the most promising application area for blockchain in health.

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Citation

H. Saeed, M. A. Al-Hadhrami, A. A. Al-Hadhrami (2022). Blockchain technology in healthcare: A systematic review. Academic Paper. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9000089
Canonical knowledge ID: research:blockchain-technology-in-healthcare-a-systematic-review