A New Age Of Privacy Begins With The Blockchain: Health Records In Focus

No shortage of sectors can benefit from the power of blockchain with its immutability, transparency, and decentralization. However, when it comes to data, its potential shines brighter.

Blockchain technology has the power to revolutionize how we view and control data, something incredibly important in today's digital world. We are genuinely concerned about how social media access and uses our data, but have not thought enough about the concerns around medical data. 

Patient data is arguably one of the most private and personal information we share. What is most concerning though is that when it is shared on electronic health records (EHR), there is very little control and privacy. 

The issue is that our private medical data is shared and moved across several entities. Your GP creates and collects data and moves on to pharmacists, surgeons, specialist, and even health insurers. 

The currency EHR system lacks a lot of privacy, and control, and sees data being shared and spread without much care or concern as to an individual's most private information.

Enter the blockchain

Blockchain and data go hand in hand. The technology has at its core privacy, decentralization, control, and immutability, and if we aim those attributes at disrupting an outdated and insecure cloud-based EHR system, we can immediately see the benefits. 

Firstly, the blockchain can change the hands of who controls the data. It seems basic enough, but by putting patient data in their own hands, a lot of privacy issues are alleviated. It is through the control of a private key that a patient can suddenly make the calls of what data is shared where. 

The data is not only packaged in a way that the patient can share where necessary with other health practitioners, but it can also allow them to offer data and information to the more commercial arms of the health sector - like Big Pharma. 

More so, the decentralized nature of the blockchain means that data hacks, which are occurring more frequently, are effectively eliminated, and that patient data is stored securely. 

There has already been much focus on how the blockchain can help secure the data of individuals across social media and online arenas. Arguably, that data is less important, or valuable depending on which side of the coin you are on, than the data coming out of the health care sector.

Opening new technologies

The health sector is, of course, very advanced in many areas, and a significant conduit for new and emerging technologies. Aiming blockchain at EHRs not only helps streamline this critical aspect of data management, but it opens the door to using other technologies. 

For example, a company called MediLOT is using a duel blockchain solution with layered architecture that opens the door for artificial intelligence and data analytics. This then means machine learning APIs can be built on this new EHR platform, which can support complex applications. 

It is not only about securing the data on the blockchain for the benefit of the patient, it is through the use of potential other technologies that the data can become both useful, and valuable. Issues in health care arise when data is poorly transmitted, and these can be catastrophic, thus, with the power of AI, blockchain, and machine learning, suddenly that data is a tool in healing patients. 

A need to move with the times

It seems ridiculous that the medical sector, with its cutting-edge technologies, is allowing it's patient data management to lag so much. The very nature of this fragmented system is begging for an EHR that can encompass and navigate through the different players; from doctors, pharmacists, surgeons, and insurers. 

Concerns about data privacy and protection have only recently come to the fore, and for that reason, perhaps it is understandable why these outdated EHR have managed to go unchecked. The call for the disruption of this system grows louder, and blockchain looks ready to step up to the plate.