Digital healthcare trends are largely driven by the need for better patient care, faster and more accurate analysis, and on-demand access to medical data. The pace of innovation in digital healthcare began gaining momentum with artificial intelligence (AI), and it is set to further accelerate as the industry turns to blockchain technology.


In order to move forward, it is important to look back on what healthcare used to be before. Going back to the origins of medicine, things were very primitive, basic and simple with the use of herbs and natural remedies and nothing was kept track of. 


But today, there is no doubt that healthcare is changing at an unprecedented pace. It is also a known fact that technology is an empowering influence and facilitator of broad changes driving innovation in the medical profession and healthcare as a whole, similar to other industries.


Blockchain influence


Many aspects of blockchain technology, such as the immutability of the data stored in a blockchain, are drawing the attention of the healthcare sector. In fact, blockchain technology can facilitate the transition from institution-driven interoperability to patient-centered interoperability. 


Over the years, blockchain technology has been developing new ways for patients to assign access rules for their medical data, for example, permitting specific researchers to access parts of their data for a fixed period of time. Blockchain’s ability to keep an incorruptible, decentralised and transparent log of all patient data makes it a technology rife for security applications. 


Additionally, while blockchain is transparent it is also private, concealing the identity of any individual with complex and secure codes that can protect the sensitivity of medical data. The decentralized nature of the technology also allows patients, doctors and healthcare providers to share the same information quickly and safely.


Shaping the blockchain future


Blockchain technology creates unique opportunities to reduce complexity, enable trustless collaboration, and create secure and immutable information. Blockchain networks like Alacrity is right to track this rapidly evolving field to identify trends and sense areas where government support may be needed for the technology to realize its full potential in health care. To shape blockchain’s future, blockchain networks should consider mapping and convening the blockchain ecosystem, establishing a blockchain framework to coordinate early-adopters, and supporting a consortium for dialogue and discovery.

-->