Securing telehealth and telemedicine using blockchain
Create a login page for patient and doctor to access the web page.
When patient login, the patient can see the doctor details, list of doctor, their medical history.
When doctor login they can see the appointment of their current date, patient history.
Decentralization:
Decentralization in blockchain refers to the distribution of data across a network of nodes, as opposed to being
stored in a central authority's server. In telehealthcare, decentralization can enhance security and reduce the risk
of a single point of failure. For example, patient records can be stored and accessed from multiple nodes
(hospitals, clinics, patient devices) in a blockchain network, ensuring data availability even if one node goes
down.
Immutability:
Immutability means that once data is recorded on the blockchain, it cannot be altered or deleted. In
telehealthcare, this ensures the integrity of patient records and treatment history. For example, once a medical
diagnosis or prescription is added to a patient's blockchain-based health record, it remains unchanged, providing
a tamper-resistant history of their health journey.
Transparency:
Transparency in blockchain means that all transactions and data are visible to authorized participants in the
network. In telehealthcare, patients and healthcare providers can access a patient's medical history with
permission, ensuring trust and transparency. Patients can verify who accessed their data and for what purpose.
Open Source Access:
Blockchain technology often utilizes open-source software, which means the code is publicly available for
anyone to view, use, and modify. In telehealthcare, open source access can foster innovation by allowing
developers to create applications and solutions that improve healthcare services. For example, developers can
build decentralized telemedicine apps on open-source blockchain platforms.
Auditability:
Auditability means that all transactions on the blockchain are recorded and can be audited at any time. In
telehealthcare, this can be used for compliance with regulations and quality control. Healthcare organizations
can easily track and verify every interaction and transaction related to patient data, ensuring accountability and
adherence to privacy rules.
Anonymity:
While blockchain itself is transparent, it can also offer varying levels of anonymity depending on the use case.
In telehealthcare, patient data can be stored on a blockchain in a way that protects patient privacy. For instance,
a patient's identity can be concealed using encryption techniques while still allowing authorized healthcare
providers to access their medical history when necessary.
Overall, blockchain technology can revolutionize telehealthcare by providing a secure, transparent, and
decentralized platform for managing patient data and interactions while ensuring the integrity and privacy of
sensitive medical information.
There are primarily three main types of blockchains:
kuhn·saw·tee·uhm) (also
public, private, and consortium (
known as federated) blockchains. These types differ in terms of access control,
participation, and use cases:
Public Blockchains:
Public blockchains are open to anyone and are permissionless. Anyone can join the network,
participate in block validation (mining), and read or write data on the blockchain.
They are decentralized and trustless, as they do not rely on a central authority.
Examples: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH).
Private Blockchains:
Private blockchains are restricted to a select group of participants, and they often require
permission to join and interact with the network.
Participants are typically known entities, and the network is not fully decentralized since it
operates under the control of a single organization or a consortium.
Private blockchains are often used by enterprises for internal purposes, such as supply chain
management or record-keeping, where privacy and control are paramount.
Examples: Hyperledger Fabric, Corda.
Consortium (Federated) Blockchains:
Consortium blockchains are a hybrid between public and private blockchains. They are
controlled by a group of organizations or entities that work together to validate transactions
and maintain the network.
Consortium members often have a predefined level of trust in each other, which allows for
faster consensus mechanisms compared to public blockchains.
These blockchains are used in scenarios where multiple organizations need to collaborate
while maintaining some level of control over the network.
Examples: B3i (insurance consortium), R3 Corda (consortium of financial institutions).
Besides these three main types, there are also variations and specialized blockchains, such as:
Permissioned Blockchains:
Permissioned blockchains are similar to private blockchains but may have different levels of
permissions for participants. Some participants might have more control or access rights than
others.
Hybrid Blockchains:
Hybrid blockchains combine elements of both public and private blockchains, allowing for
more flexibility in terms of use cases and participation.
Sidechains:
Sidechains are separate blockchain networks that can be linked to a primary blockchain
(mainchain) to allow for specific use cases or scalability without overloading the mainchain.
Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS):
BaaS platforms offer cloud-based blockchain infrastructure and tools, making it easier for
organizations to deploy and manage blockchain applications.
Enterprise Blockchain Solutions:
Many companies and consortiums are developing their own customized blockchain solutions
tailored to their specific industry and use cases.