Blockchain Powered Medical Sector – Application, Challenges and Future Research Scope

The recent research in the healthcare sector using computer technologies in the fourth industrial revolution helps to improve the quality of life by accessing the medical data to monitor, diagnose and treat the patient at the right time from anywhere in the world. Blockchain is one of the major recent innovations and trending research topics that plays a vital role in diverse applications like Smart cities, Healthcare industry, Smart grid, etc. Blockchain, which is fascinated with its features like secure data sharing, immutability, decentralization, and reliability in data management, has made it a prominent technology in the healthcare industry. This chapter discusses 1) The working principle of blockchain technology with its different prospectus in healthcare. 2) Advantages of blockchain technology over the Internet of Things in secured patient data management, efficient data sharing with decentralized data management accessible for authorized users using cryptography techniques. 3) Various applications of blockchain technology in healthcare, like remote patient monitoring using Internet of Things (IoT) devices for cardiac and electroencephalogram (EEG) signal monitoring to diagnose life-threatening diseases. 4) Drug traceability in the pharmaceutical drug supply chain to ensure product safety with an end-to-end tracking system and immutable transaction record. Finally, this chapter also presents the blockchain based challenges and solutions that advocate the future research scope in healthcare systems.