Implementing Blockchain to Enhance Usability of Patient-Generated Data

Abstract

The adoption of blockchain shows a variety of benefits owing to an incorruptible digital ledger and a decentralized database. This has eliminated the need for a gatekeeper to oversee all associated transactions. Blockchain, the underlying technology behind Bitcoin and other crypto-currencies, has found use in many industries besides finance, such as healthcare, where it is used for verifying medical licensing and credentialing, for tracking medical equipment (or consumables) from production to usage, and in cases associated with high levels of privacy and security. Patient data is collected using a plethora of patient-generated data devices, such as Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled wearables, health trackers, and home use medical devices. As a result, the data is siloed amongst several applications and/or vendors’ proprietary solutions. Of all this data, only some of it is transmitted to Electronic Medical Records. This produces the risk that not all data collected will be reviewed at the point of care due to the abundance of data collected. This article explains the areas within healthcare where blockchain could address data usability challenges and analyzes new ways in which patient health data can be collected to address the increasing number of challenges associated with the amount of data being generated over time. It also describes the drivers behind this data collection trend, the associated challenges and the subsequent ramifications. It concludes with a review of previous studies on data usability challenges and the means by which blockchain can be used to overcome these challenges.

Introducing the Pi-CON Methodology to Overcome Usability Deficits during Remote Patient Monitoring

“…The inception and expansion of PGHD devices in recent years have made this a critical period in developing novel technologies. During this transformation period involving remotely monitoring the patient's health and empowering the patient to take health exams by themselves, proper usability of these devices and interaction across all included stakeholders, including healthcare providers, patients, and insurance companies [20] is crucial to ensure proper future patient care.…”

Introducing a Remote Patient Monitoring Usability Impact Model to Overcome Challenges

“…Many times, these devices are web-enabled or Internet-of-Things (IoT)-enabled computers and sensors worn on the patient’s body. These devices capture a variety of patient’s physiological parameters, such as sleep quality, respiratory rate, or heart rate, to provide insights into potential health conditions, such as sleep apnea or hypertension [ 30 , 31 ].…”