Implementation of Blockchain in Healthcare: A Systematic Review

Blockchain is an emerging technology to ensure the security and trustworthiness for data sharing in different areas such as the economic sector, supply chain management, food industry, energy sector, education, internet of things, and healthcare. In healthcare, balancing patient care with the privacy of information, ease of accessibility and comprehensiveness has been a challenge. Healthcare directly affects humanity and so is one of the first areas where blockchain is implemented because the healthcare system has various problems that should be addressed. Blockchain can solve not only the data management issues between different stakeholders but also saves millions of dollars, reduce forging, and empower the patients. It has contributed to the transparency of insurance claims, management of Electronic Health Record (EHR), and also helps in genome research and so much more. This paper presents a systematic review of the recent research done in the application and major challenges for blockchain technology in the healthcare system. We have reviewed almost 56 papers selected from various search engines. This review focuses on some key areas that are discussed in many pieces of research such as interoperability, security management, fraud prevention, and financial issues. Major challenges and opportunities in the implementation of this technology are also discussed in this review. The basic issue in the healthcare industry is extraordinary costs of the medical facility and subsequent insurance claims. Where the involvement of various parties (hospitals, doctors, insurance companies, and government) makes it very difficult to ensure transparency which casts doubts among stakeholders. It is also observed that despite the favorite area for researchers the technology is not yet implemented on vast levels. Still, a lot of work is required to identify and then resolve the major challenges and issues in the way to transform the health system. The investors need to be convinced about the benefits of blockchain in the healthcare system so that the technology can be implemented on large scale.