Exploring the Benefits of Blockchain Technology for Patients in the UK
As a healthcare professional, you are likely familiar with the importance of electronic medical records (EMRs) in enabling the efficient and effective delivery of healthcare. However, you may not be as familiar with the potential of blockchain technology to revolutionise the way that EMRs are stored and shared.
Blockchain is a decentralised, distributed database that allows multiple parties to record transactions and share information without the need for a central authority. It is a digital ledger of transactions that is replicated and distributed across a network of computers, with each copy of the ledger being independently verifiable.
One key way that blockchain technology can benefit the healthcare industry is by enabling patients to have better control over their EMRs. Traditionally, patients' medical records are stored in centralised databases that are controlled by healthcare providers or third-party organisations. This means that patients may not have direct control over who has access to their personal data and may not be able to revoke access once it has been granted.
By contrast, the use of a blockchain to store EMRs can enable patients to have more control over their personal data by allowing them to grant or revoke access to their medical records as needed. This can be accomplished through the use of smart contracts or other decentralised applications (DApps) that are built on top of the blockchain.
Here are a few examples of how patients can use blockchain technology to have better control over their EMRs:
A patient is seeking a second opinion from a specialist and wants to grant access to their medical records to the specialist for the purpose of reviewing their case. The patient could use a DApp to grant the specialist temporary access to their medical records for a specific time period. Once the consultation is completed, the patient could use the DApp to revoke the specialist's access to their records.
A patient is participating in a clinical trial and wants to share their medical records with the research team. The patient could use a smart contract to grant the research team access to their records for the duration of the trial. Once the trial is completed, the smart contract could automatically revoke access to the records.
A patient has moved to a new area and wants to transfer their medical records to a new GP surgery. The patient could use a DApp to grant access to their records to the new surgery, while also revoking access from their old surgery. Currently, this process lacks efficiency and sometimes accuracy which cause unnecessary delays in patient care.
By using blockchain technology to store EMRs, patients can have greater control over their personal data and ensure that their privacy is respected. This can enable them to more easily share their medical records with healthcare providers and other parties as needed, while also protecting their privacy when it is not necessary to share their data.
Overall, the use of blockchain technology in the storage and sharing of EMRs has the potential to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery, while also empowering patients to have greater control over their personal data. As a healthcare professional, it is important to be aware of this potential and to consider how blockchain technology could be used to improve the care that you provide to your patients.
In conclusion, it is important to recognise that the adoption of new technologies often takes time and careful consideration. While new technologies can bring many benefits and advancements, it is also important to carefully evaluate the potential drawbacks and potential negative impacts they may have. It is important to carefully consider both the potential pros and cons of new technologies before making the decision to adopt them.