Mechanism for Universal Smart Contracts: Towards Blockchain Interoperability in Health Systems

Area of Science:

• Computer Science
• Health Informatics
• Blockchain Technology

Background:

• Blockchain interoperability is crucial for secure healthcare data exchange.
• Semantic interoperability of smart contracts remains a significant challenge.
• Existing solutions often lack cross-platform compatibility for sensitive domains.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present MUISCA, a Model-Driven Engineering mechanism for automatic generation of interoperable smart contracts.
• To address the semantic interoperability gap in cross-blockchain communication.
• To facilitate secure and consistent clinical information exchange in healthcare.

Main Methods:

• Developed MUISCA based on Model-Driven Engineering principles.
• Defined metamodels, abstract models, and transformation rules for smart contract generation.
• Validated the mechanism using a healthcare case study involving patient transfers and expert surveys.

Main Results:

• MUISCA successfully generated interoperable smart contracts for Ethereum and Hyperledger Fabric.
• The mechanism demonstrated support for secure clinical data exchange in a healthcare scenario.
• Expert surveys indicated perceived usefulness and ease of use, validating MUISCA's acceptance.

Conclusions:

• MUISCA significantly improves smart contract portability and reduces implementation errors.
• The solution enhances security in blockchain-based health information systems.
• MUISCA provides a foundation for broader applications in critical domains requiring high integration and data protection.