Applications of Blockchain Technologies in Health Services: A General Framework for Policymakers

Abstract

Developments in information and communication technologies lead to radical changes in traditional business models. This transformation process is rapidly changing the principles underpinning existing systems and governance models and makes the traditional role of centralized institutions questionable. Perhaps the newest and most important example of these changes is the “Blockchain” technology. Blockchain claims to provide a deep-rooted solution to the problem of “trust” that exists in traditional commercial relations. Blockchain technology is a technology that does not require a central structure and allows the storage and transmission of commercial or value-containing data (money, identity, valuable papers, etc.) safely and quickly. This contributes to reduced costs, increased efficiency, reduced errors as a result of continuous storage of records in the chain, and the reliability of records kept. Blockchain technology enables it to be implemented in many sectors such as finance, manufacturing, logistics, energy, health care, retail, telecommunications, media, insurance, as well as in public transactions thanks to its technological infrastructure and smart contracts. Due to the cost-cutting effect of blockchain technologies, the use of this technology is of great importance for the health sector and interest in this field is increasing. Blockchain’s applications in the medical field cover a wide range of processes, including electronic health records, health insurance, biomedical research, drug supply, purchasing processes, and medical education. Blockchain networks have many promising uses in the healthcare sector, from increasing transparency in the drug supply chain to creating and sharing unchangeable medical records. In the health sector, blockchain technologies can be used at different stages, from drug and medical product development processes to diagnosis, from the e-prescription process to better preservation and use of patient records.