This research focuses on how blockchain can optimally adapt and improve the healthcare system. It proposes an analysis of the multiple blockchain solutions, proposed until the time of this research, and their technical features. Different blockchain types, as well as different consensus algorithms, result in different benefits, advantages and limitations regarding their application to the healthcare system. This research aims to find out, through a multicriteria evaluation, how these benefits change with different blockchain technologies.
Blockchain is the disruptive innovation that will change the way we exchange value. While this innovation is being considered for multiple businesses, its potential to revolutionize the healthcare system is also gaining attention. How useful would it be to access, every time we want, and we need, our full history of health records?
Moreover, what if patients could own their medical data? Healthcare system will become patient-centered. On the one hand, the overall quality of healthcare would undoubtedly rise and, on the other hand, costs, risks, and deaths will be
likely to decrease. Patients will be able to see a complete picture of their medical history maturing a broader responsibility on their daily routine.
They could be the CEO of their health. Doctors will be able to access real-time life-saving data, update records for their patients and so on, avoiding in this way data silos, extra costs and information blocking. However, ‘we do not own our data; we just visit
them from time to time’ and, interoperability between health providers is still a hurdle to overcome.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Motivation
- Problem Definition
- Aims and Objectives
- Research Questions
- Sub-Questions
- Objectives
- Subject Relevance
- The importance of emerging technologies
- Relevance in Healthcare System
- Thesis Structure
- Conclusion
- Blockchain
- Introduction
- Background
- Technology
- Blockchain Evolution
- The Anatomy of a Block
- Blockchain Types
- Consensus Algorithms
- Conclusion
- Literature Review
- Introduction
- Methodology
- Problem Statement
- Conclusion
- Proposed Solutions
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This master's thesis aims to analyze the applicability of various blockchain technologies to the healthcare system. The research evaluates multiple blockchain solutions and their technical features to determine how different blockchain types and consensus algorithms impact the benefits, advantages, and limitations of their use in healthcare. The ultimate goal is to identify, through a multicriteria evaluation, the optimal blockchain technology for improving the healthcare system.
- Evaluation of blockchain technologies for healthcare applications.
- Analysis of the impact of different blockchain types and consensus algorithms.
- Assessment of benefits, advantages, and limitations of blockchain in healthcare.
- Identification of the optimal blockchain solution for improving healthcare systems.
- Exploration of the potential of blockchain to address data ownership and interoperability issues.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This chapter sets the stage for the thesis by introducing the concept of blockchain as a disruptive innovation with the potential to revolutionize the healthcare system. It highlights the importance of secure and accessible health data, emphasizing the need for patient-centric approaches to improve healthcare quality and reduce costs. The chapter establishes the research questions and objectives, focusing on evaluating the suitability of different blockchain technologies for optimizing healthcare operations and data management. The problem of data silos and interoperability issues within the healthcare system is identified as the main driver of this research.
Blockchain: This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of blockchain technology. It delves into the historical background and evolution of blockchain, explaining its underlying principles and technical aspects, such as the anatomy of a block, different types of blockchains, and various consensus algorithms. The chapter lays the groundwork for understanding the technical nuances of the different blockchain solutions that are subsequently evaluated in the thesis. This detailed exploration of the technical aspects of blockchain is crucial for evaluating the suitability of different blockchain technologies within the context of the healthcare system.
Literature Review: This chapter presents a thorough review of existing literature pertaining to the application of blockchain technology in healthcare. It outlines the methodology employed in the literature review and critically analyzes the various proposed solutions found in previous research. The chapter identifies current challenges and gaps in the field, setting the context for the original contribution made by the thesis. This chapter serves as a foundation for the thesis by summarizing and critically evaluating existing knowledge, ensuring the research builds upon and contributes to the existing body of work.
Keywords
Health Data, Data Ownership, Blockchain, Healthcare, Interoperability, Multicriteria Evaluation, Consensus Algorithms, Patient-centric Healthcare, Data Security, Decentralization.
Frequently Asked Questions: Master's Thesis on Blockchain in Healthcare
What is the main topic of this master's thesis?
This master's thesis analyzes the applicability of various blockchain technologies to improve the healthcare system. It focuses on evaluating different blockchain solutions and their technical features to determine the optimal technology for enhancing healthcare operations and data management.
What are the key objectives of the research?
The research aims to evaluate blockchain technologies for healthcare, analyze the impact of different blockchain types and consensus algorithms, assess the benefits and limitations of blockchain in healthcare, identify the optimal blockchain solution for improving healthcare systems, and explore blockchain's potential to address data ownership and interoperability issues.
What are the main chapters of the thesis?
The thesis includes an introduction establishing the research questions and objectives, a chapter dedicated to a comprehensive overview of blockchain technology (including its evolution, types, and consensus algorithms), a literature review critically analyzing existing research on blockchain in healthcare, and a conclusion summarizing the findings and contributions.
What specific aspects of blockchain technology are covered?
The thesis covers the historical background and evolution of blockchain, its underlying principles, the anatomy of a block, different types of blockchains (e.g., public, private, permissioned), and various consensus algorithms. The technical details are crucial for evaluating the suitability of different blockchain technologies in healthcare.
How does the thesis address the literature?
A dedicated literature review chapter presents a thorough examination of existing research on applying blockchain to healthcare. This review outlines the methodology used, critically analyzes previous proposed solutions, and identifies current challenges and gaps in the field to establish a strong foundation for the thesis's original contribution.
What problem does the thesis aim to solve?
The thesis addresses the problem of data silos and interoperability issues within the healthcare system. It seeks to identify a blockchain solution that can improve data security, access, and sharing, ultimately leading to better patient care and reduced costs.
What methodology is used in the thesis?
The thesis employs a multicriteria evaluation to identify the optimal blockchain technology for improving the healthcare system. The specific methodology used in the literature review is described in the dedicated chapter.
What are the key terms associated with this research?
Key terms include Health Data, Data Ownership, Blockchain, Healthcare, Interoperability, Multicriteria Evaluation, Consensus Algorithms, Patient-centric Healthcare, Data Security, and Decentralization.
What is the ultimate goal of this research?
The ultimate goal is to identify, through a multicriteria evaluation, the optimal blockchain technology for improving the healthcare system by addressing challenges related to data security, interoperability, and patient-centric data management.
- Citar trabajo
- Nicolò De Sandre (Autor), 2019, A Multi Criteria Evaluation of Blockchain Technologies Applied to the Healthcare System, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/585299
