Blockchain-enabled Interoperability in Healthcare

Abstract

With the exponential growth of health data, connecting different fragmented data sources to create a universal patient-based health record has been a long-established challenge in healthcare. Blockchain presents a new model for the management of data access and exchange in a secure decentralised way. This research paper examines the potential of blockchain-enabled solutions to address the challenge of health data interoperability from a socio-technical perspective. Empirical findings of the ethnographic study are based on the current scene of blockchain in healthcare and a case study of a recent implementation in London. The discussion draws on the organisational, social, and political aspects of blockchain as a trust-less model to democratise health data and empower the patient agency to achieve patient-centred care and interoperability.