Implementation of blockchains in healthcare: protocol for a systematic review
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Background
A blockchain is a digitised, decentralised, distributed public ledger; a shared and synchronised database that records cryptocurrency transactions. Despite the shift towards digital platforms enabled by Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), demonstrating a will to reform the healthcare sector, health systems face issues including security, interoperability, data fragmentation, timely access to patient data and silos. Application of healthcare blockchains could enable data interoperability, enhancement of precision medicine and reduction in prescription frauds through implementing novel methods in access and patient consent.
Objectives
To summarise the evidence on the strategies and frameworks utilised to implement blockchains for patient data in healthcare to ensure privacy and improve interoperability and scalability. It is anticipated this review will assist in development of recommendations that will assist key stakeholders in healthcare blockchain implementation and we predict that the evidence generated will challenge the healthcare status quo, moving away from more traditional approaches and facilitating decision-making of patients, healthcare providers and researchers.
Results
Database searches will be initiated in September 2018. We expect to complete the review in December 2018.
Conclusions
This review will summarize the strategies and frameworks used to implement blockchains in healthcare to increase data privacy, interoperability and scalability. This review will also help clarify if the strategies and frameworks required for the operationalisation of blockchains in healthcare ensure the privacy of patient data whilst enabling efficiency, interoperability and scalability.
A blockchain is a digitised, decentralised, distributed public ledger; a shared and synchronised database that records cryptocurrency transactions. Despite the shift towards digital platforms enabled by Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), demonstrating a will to reform the healthcare sector, health systems face issues including security, interoperability, data fragmentation, timely access to patient data and silos. Application of healthcare blockchains could enable data interoperability, enhancement of precision medicine and reduction in prescription frauds through implementing novel methods in access and patient consent.
Objectives
To summarise the evidence on the strategies and frameworks utilised to implement blockchains for patient data in healthcare to ensure privacy and improve interoperability and scalability. It is anticipated this review will assist in development of recommendations that will assist key stakeholders in healthcare blockchain implementation and we predict that the evidence generated will challenge the healthcare status quo, moving away from more traditional approaches and facilitating decision-making of patients, healthcare providers and researchers.
Results
Database searches will be initiated in September 2018. We expect to complete the review in December 2018.
Conclusions
This review will summarize the strategies and frameworks used to implement blockchains in healthcare to increase data privacy, interoperability and scalability. This review will also help clarify if the strategies and frameworks required for the operationalisation of blockchains in healthcare ensure the privacy of patient data whilst enabling efficiency, interoperability and scalability.
Date Issued
2019-02-08
Date Acceptance
2018-08-24
Citation
JMIR Research Protocols, 2019, 8 (2)
ISSN
1929-0748
Publisher
JMIR Publications
Journal / Book Title
JMIR Research Protocols
Volume
8
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
©Edward Meinert, Abrar Alturkistani, Kimberley A Foley, Tasnime Osama, Josip Car, Azeem Majeed, Michelle Van Velthoven,Glenn Wells, David Brindley. Originally published in JMIR Research Protocols (http://www.researchprotocols.org), 08.02.2019.This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,provided the original work, first published in JMIR Research Protocols, is properly cited. The complete bibliographic information,a link to the original publication on http://www.researchprotocols.org, as well as this copyright and license information must beincluded.
Sponsor
European Institute of Innovation and Technology
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
e10994