Introduction
Last updated
Last updated
Blockchain technology, which is one of the most effective technologies of our time, is effective in many fields and nevertheless plays an important role in the health sector. The blockchain is a decentralized, distributed, and publicly traded ledger used to record transactions across many computers. They are linked together using timestamped and cryptographic hashes. These blocks are securely and immutably sealed. The chain grows continuously and new blocks are added to the end, so each new block keeps a reference (hash value) to the inside of the previous block. Shareholders, also called blockchain nodes, are organized in a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. Every node in the network has two keys. One of them is a public key used to encrypt messages sent to a node, and the other key is a private key used to decrypt messages that allow a node to read them. Thus, the public key encryption mechanism is used to ensure the consistency, irreversibility, and non-repudiation of a blockchain.
All blocks in the blockchain are linked using the one-way hash function (for example, SHA256). It also ensures the anonymity, immutability, and compactness of the block. Every transaction performed by a node is signed before being broadcast on the network for later approval. Signing a transaction using a private key ensures the authentication and integrity of a transaction.
The blockchain does decentralized data computation that ensures data reliability for modern healthcare. A user who wants to connect to the blockchain connects via a node. Each user in the system represents a node. Therefore, each node participating in the system has a copy of the blockchain. In this way, the intermediary has been eliminated and the central authority obligation is also eliminated.
Blockchain technology is developing in many areas, such as; electronic and personal health record management, remote patient management, identity management profiles integrated with the development of smart health, following up prescriptions, combating counterfeiting in drug and medical device procurement, audit of insurance reimbursement processes, health data’s (diagnosis, treatment, DNA records, lifestyle, physical activity, etc.) safe use in clinical research. This work is to systematically develop blockchain technology and existing technology in the field of health and integrate it into the health sector and provide services.