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Is blockchain ready for orthopaedics? A systematic review.
Calum Thomson1, Russell Beale2
1Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, (Birmingham), The Woodlands, Bristol Rd S, Northfield, Birmingham, B31 2AP, UK.
Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma
|October 21, 2021
Summary
Blockchain technology offers secure healthcare solutions with potential applications in orthopaedics. While no specific orthopaedic use cases were found, blockchain can enhance data sharing, research, and patient engagement in the field.
Area of Science:
- Computer Science
- Medical Informatics
- Orthopaedic Surgery
Background:
- Distributed ledger blockchain systems offer security, immutability, transparency, and decentralization.
- These attributes make blockchain a promising solution for various healthcare challenges.
- This review explores blockchain's potential in orthopaedics by analyzing current literature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review blockchain literature for healthcare applications.
- To map identified blockchain use cases against the needs of orthopaedic practice.
- To identify potential benefits of blockchain technology for the field of orthopaedics.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across major databases (PubMed, EMBASE, OVID, Cochrane Library).
- Identified articles detailing blockchain solutions in healthcare were reviewed.
- Use cases were mapped to current orthopaedic practice requirements.
Main Results:
- 141 papers on blockchain in healthcare were identified, mostly in simulated or prototype phases (10 real-world cases).
- Common applications included electronic medical records, IoT, research, COVID-19, supply chains, and radiology.
- No studies focused specifically on orthopaedics, but many solutions have potential applications in the field.
Conclusions:
- Blockchain solutions for healthcare are expanding in scope and number.
- These technologies offer significant potential for orthopaedics, including improved collaboration, data exchange, patient engagement, and research integrity.
- The orthopaedic community should engage with blockchain technology for future advancements.
