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Blockchain and Healthcare: Opportunities and Prospects for the EHR

Author

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  • Guendalina Capece

    (Department of Business Engineering, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via del Politecnico 1, 00133 Rome, Italy)

  • Francesco Lorenzi

    (Department of Business Engineering, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via del Politecnico 1, 00133 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Health protection has always been a primary concern for mankind. Despite its important social role, current systems for managing the health records are slow, complicated, sometimes expensive and exposed to human errors and misunderstandings. In the health sector, the Medicalchain project seems to have the potential to become a new standard for managing health records using blockchain technology as a platform. In this paper, we propose a new model consisting of a permissioned blockchain to manage and store the electronic health records (EHR) of registered patients. This system guarantees transparency and especially immutability, which are essential for secure management and storage, ensuring a system that is efficient both for doctors and patients and, hopefully, bringing about renewed trust in the public health system. Our aim is that our work may contribute to gain momentum on the application of the blockchain technology to EHR and stimulate further discussion with health institutions to fully exploit the potential of the technology.

Suggested Citation

  • Guendalina Capece & Francesco Lorenzi, 2020. "Blockchain and Healthcare: Opportunities and Prospects for the EHR," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-17, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:22:p:9693-:d:448308
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Yermack, 2017. "Corporate Governance and Blockchains," Review of Finance, European Finance Association, vol. 21(1), pages 7-31.
    2. Pasquale Giungato & Roberto Rana & Angela Tarabella & Caterina Tricase, 2017. "Current Trends in Sustainability of Bitcoins and Related Blockchain Technology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-11, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fabio Matteis & Mario Angelelli & Fabrizio Striani & Angelo Corallo, 2025. "Managerial implications of blockchains in the public sector: elements for the development of a conceptual framework for innovation," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 29(3), pages 777-813, September.
    2. Guendalina Capece & Paolo Bazzica, 2021. "Vpassport: A Digital Architecture to Support Social Restart during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-9, April.

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