From the Guidelines
Blockchain technology should be implemented in healthcare to securely manage electronic health records through a distributed ledger system, prioritizing patient control, privacy, and security. This approach is supported by the most recent study from 2025, which highlights the applicability of blockchain in preserving privacy and integrity of health data 1. The study emphasizes the importance of cross-domain interoperability, which can be achieved through blockchain technology, ensuring secure and standardized data formats.
Key Benefits of Blockchain in Healthcare
- Tamper-resistant architecture
- Transparent audit trails
- Elimination of centralized vulnerabilities
- Patient control over their data
- Standardized data formats for interoperability
Implementation Considerations
- Healthcare organizations should adopt permissioned blockchain networks, allowing only authorized participants to access patient information
- Patients should receive private keys to grant temporary access to specific providers
- Smart contracts can automate permissions and audit trails
- Pilot programs should focus on specific use cases, such as medication reconciliation or chronic disease management, before scaling
- Technical challenges, like transaction speed and storage limitations, must be addressed
- Regulatory compliance with laws like HIPAA and development of governance frameworks are crucial
The use of blockchain technology in healthcare is also supported by earlier studies, such as the 2021 study published in Nature Reviews Cardiology, which highlights the potential of blockchain in patient-centered monitoring and data security 1. However, the most recent study from 2025 provides the strongest evidence for the implementation of blockchain in healthcare, prioritizing morbidity, mortality, and quality of life as the outcome 1.
From the Research
Implementation of Blockchain in Healthcare
- Blockchain technology can be implemented in healthcare to securely manage electronic health records (EHRs) by providing a decentralized, immutable ledger that ensures data integrity, transparency, and privacy 2.
- The use of blockchain in healthcare can enhance medical data security, enable fine-grained access control, improve interoperability, and resist cyber-attacks 2, 3.
- Blockchain technology has the potential to connect disparate systems and increase the accuracy of EHRs, making it a valuable tool for the healthcare industry 4.
Benefits of Blockchain in Healthcare
- Blockchain technology can provide a secure and efficient way to manage EHRs, ensuring that patient data is protected and easily accessible to authorized personnel 5, 4.
- The use of blockchain in healthcare can improve data sharing and interoperability, enabling healthcare providers to access patient data quickly and securely 2, 3.
- Blockchain technology can also enhance collaboration and protect intellectual property in biomedical research, making it a valuable tool for researchers and healthcare professionals 3.
Challenges and Limitations
- Despite the potential benefits of blockchain in healthcare, there are several challenges and limitations to its adoption, including regulatory issues, technical complexity, and economic costs 3, 6.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the implications of blockchain technology in healthcare and to develop privacy-preserving hybrid data storage solutions that comply with international laws and regulations 3, 6.
- The development of blockchain applications for healthcare is still in its early stages, and more research is needed to characterize the effectiveness of these proposed use cases and to evaluate the utility of blockchain in healthcare 6.