Case studies about smart contracts in healthcare

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Data Security and Privacy

Background:

• The healthcare sector is increasingly adopting Internet of Things (IoT) devices for disease prevention and management.
• Current healthcare systems often rely on outdated paper-based records, posing challenges for data integrity and GDPR compliance.
• The integration of smart devices in healthcare, known as the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), necessitates innovative data management solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze and explain three distinct methods for addressing the challenges posed by the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT).
• To highlight the benefits and challenges associated with each proposed IoMT data management method.
• To inform the development of secure and compliant healthcare data storage systems.

Main Methods:

• Review and analysis of three proposed methods for managing IoMT data.
• Emphasis on methods that ensure data integrity and patient privacy, aligning with regulations like GDPR.
• Exploration of smart contract applications for secure health data storage and disclosure.

Main Results:

• Identification of key challenges in implementing IoMT solutions within existing healthcare infrastructures.
• Detailed examination of the advantages and disadvantages of each analyzed IoMT data management approach.
• Discussion of how different methods cater to varying national contexts and healthcare system needs.

Conclusions:

• The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) presents significant opportunities for healthcare advancement.
• Robust data management strategies, including smart contracts, are crucial for secure and compliant IoMT implementation.
• Further research and tailored solutions are needed to overcome IoMT integration challenges in diverse healthcare settings.