Blockchain in Health Information Systems: A Systematic Review

Aleika Lwiza Alves Fonsêca (), Ingridy Marina Pierre Barbalho, Felipe Fernandes, Ernano Arrais Júnior, Danilo Alves Pinto Nagem, Pablo Holanda Cardoso, Nícolas Vinícius Rodrigues Veras, Fernando Lucas de Oliveira Farias, Ana Raquel Lindquist, João Paulo Q. dos Santos, Antonio Higor Freire de Morais, Jorge Henriques, Marcia Lucena and Ricardo Alexsandro de Medeiros Valentim
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Aleika Lwiza Alves Fonsêca: Laboratory of Technological Innovation in Health (LAIS), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal 59010-090, Brazil
Ingridy Marina Pierre Barbalho: Laboratory of Technological Innovation in Health (LAIS), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal 59010-090, Brazil
Felipe Fernandes: Laboratory of Technological Innovation in Health (LAIS), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal 59010-090, Brazil
Ernano Arrais Júnior: Laboratory of Technological Innovation in Health (LAIS), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal 59010-090, Brazil
Danilo Alves Pinto Nagem: Laboratory of Technological Innovation in Health (LAIS), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal 59010-090, Brazil
Pablo Holanda Cardoso: Laboratory of Technological Innovation in Health (LAIS), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal 59010-090, Brazil
Nícolas Vinícius Rodrigues Veras: Laboratory of Technological Innovation in Health (LAIS), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal 59010-090, Brazil
Fernando Lucas de Oliveira Farias: Laboratory of Technological Innovation in Health (LAIS), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal 59010-090, Brazil
Ana Raquel Lindquist: Laboratory of Technological Innovation in Health (LAIS), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal 59010-090, Brazil
João Paulo Q. dos Santos: Advanced Nucleus of Technological Innovation (NAVI), Federal Institute of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59015-000, Brazil
Antonio Higor Freire de Morais: Advanced Nucleus of Technological Innovation (NAVI), Federal Institute of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59015-000, Brazil
Jorge Henriques: Department of Informatics Engineering, Center for Informatics and Systems of the University of Coimbra, Universidade de Coimbra, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal
Marcia Lucena: Department of Informatics and Applied Mathematics (DIMAP), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal 59078-900, Brazil
Ricardo Alexsandro de Medeiros Valentim: Laboratory of Technological Innovation in Health (LAIS), Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal 59010-090, Brazil

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 11, 1-18

Abstract: (1) Background: With the increasing digitalization of healthcare systems, data security and privacy have become crucial issues. In parallel, blockchain technology has gradually proven to be an innovative solution to address this challenge, as its ability to provide an immutable and secure record of transactions offers significant promise for healthcare information management. This systematic review aims to explore the applications of blockchain in health information systems, highlighting its advantages and challenges. (2) Methods: The publications chosen to compose this review were collected from six databases, resulting in the initial identification of 4864 studies. Of these, 73 were selected for in-depth analysis. (3) Results: The main results show that blockchain has been used mainly in electronic health records (63%). Furthermore, it was used in the Internet of Medical Things (8.2%) and for data sharing during the COVID-19 pandemic (6.8%). As advantages, greater security, privacy, and data integrity were identified, while the challenges point to the need for standardization and regulatory issues. (4) Conclusions: Despite the difficulties encountered, blockchain has significant potential to improve healthcare data management. However, more research and continued collaboration between those involved are needed to maximize its benefits.

Keywords: blockchain; health information systems; public health; electronic patient record; health system (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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