Essay Example on Blockchain in Healthcare: Unlocking Privacy & Security

Introduction

Blockchain, in simple terms, refers to a decentralized, time-stamped system of recording information that is hosted by several individuals or a single entity. The system makes it hard to breach, cheat, and alter hence enhancing privacy and security.

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Blockchain in Healthcare

The healthcare industry has suffered from the lack of a universal health care system that securely records all medical data of patients, and that keeps all medical reports and documents in a system that allows ease of access. Blockchain technology will become the game-changer in the health sector by providing that system that records all data and ensures privacy and security of the data is protected (Agbo at al., 2019).

Current State of Blockchain Technology in India

India is a large country with a highly diversified population, which mostly uses electronic health record. The system is not standardized as different health facilities use different codes and vocabulary. Currently in Hyderabad plans are underway to set up a partnership of a blockchain company with healthcare facilities to provide a secure database on its platform for patients and healthcare workers across India.

Potential of Blockchain in Nigeria

Blockchain technology is set to revolutionize the healthcare sector in Nigeria. The system will be able to link patients medical history to doctors across the country hence will significantly reduce deaths caused by wrong diagnosis and prescription. The system will eliminate the use of fake drugs as patients will be linked to legally registered pharmacists reducing the need to purchase from unscrupulous traders. The technology will enable doctors to quickly identify symptoms of infectious diseases and be able to mitigate vaccines and treatment, preventing pandemics from occurring.

Application Essay

Growing up in Nigeria, as a young man, I have seen firsthand the constant decay of health infrastructure, fake medicines, structural failure of health systems, the perpetual cycle of ineffective or absent public healthcare policies. The cycle goes on and on for years, jeopardizing and putting the lives of ordinary citizens at risk and, while all these conditions could be easily avoided and treated.

I now wish to pursue a PhD in Healthcare Management and Leadership, and the Institute of Health Management & Research University at Jaipur offers what I need. India and Nigeria have similarities they both have the largest population densities in the world that are significantly diversified with similar challenges. I also admire the commitment of the Institute in the strife for an improved healthcare system through better management and technological innovation. And it is with this that I wish to focus my research on the Current State of healthcare blockchain technology in India and its potential in Nigeria.

Blockchain technology is set to revolutionize the healthcare sector in Nigeria. The system will be able to link patients' medical history to doctors across the country hence will significantly reduce deaths caused due to wrong diagnosis and treatment. The system will also eliminate the use of fake drugs as patients will be linked to legally registered pharmacists reducing the need to purchase from unscrupulous traders. The technology will enable doctors to quickly identify symptoms of infectious diseases and be able to mitigate vaccines and treatment.

In the past three years, I have volunteered in medical associations in Nigeria, notably the Association of Radiologists in Nigeria, Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria, and Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria. With the knowledge in innovative health technologies and my previous M.Sc. Degree thesis experience using GIS application in statistical analyses, I am confident that I can complete the research project to a high standard. Having been involved in different volunteer and academic programs, I can interact and communicate effectively with people from all walks of life, cultures and backgrounds.

After completing my Ph.D., I plan to either volunteer within academic Healthcare management and Leadership programs or run my family Healthcare business. I also plan to offer consultations to Healthcare associations and policymakers in Nigeria.

Summary

Most hospitals and healthcare facilities, in the past twenty years, still use the same methods and procedures. The use of papers and files to record data has proven to be costly and more prone to data breaches and alterations. Although the industry has a large number of innovations, one of the key innovations that the industry has been struggling with is in the horizontal innovations that link all data universally.

Blockchain has emerged with the ability to revolutionize the healthcare services and move it to be more patient-centric system, where the patient's entire lifecycle is digitized more securely. Health experts with information can diagnose patients more accurately factoring in their past medical records.

Data from healthcare providers will be integrated into one system in compliance with data protection laws. Medical practitioners will be able to verify the authenticity of every data keyed into the system. Patients, on the other hand, will have more knowledge and control over their personal medical information.

Nigeria is plagued with many challenges in the healthcare sector, blockchain technology has the potential of solving these problems, as the system will also enable medical officers to be able to monitor and predict the emergence of existing and emergence of new diseases hence will be able to properly be able to find cure and vaccines in real time.

References

Agbo, C. C., Mahmoud, Q. H., & Eklund, J. M. (2019, June). Blockchain technology in healthcare: a systematic review. In Healthcare (Vol. 7, No. 2, p. 56). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute