Vazirani et al. (2020) studied blockchain healthcare data management. Healthcare institutions are testing blockchain-based solutions to simplify and secure patient health information. These solutions allow clinicians and hospitals to share and access patient data securely. Blockchain technology may benefit healthcare by standardizing record-keeping, reducing administrative duties, and improving data interoperability. Zhang et al. (2018) utilized blockchain to communicate medical records securely. Blockchain allows healthcare providers to transmit patient data securely. Blockchain technology may improve cooperation, interoperability, and patient confidentiality. Blockchain technology may improve healthcare by simplifying data transmission, improving care coordination, and securing data.
Medical professionals benefit significantly from these tools. Blockchain improves patient data protection, openness, and portability. Blockchain helps healthcare firms manage data, protect patient data, and reduce data breaches. Better patient care, more straightforward procedures, and better decisions are attainable. Blockchain technology in healthcare may impact consumers in numerous ways. First and foremost, it protects their medical data and personal information. Second, it helps hospitals and clinics share patient records, improving treatment quality and uniformity. Blockchain technology may also help users manage and share their health data with other providers. More effective and personalized therapy may result.
What are your thoughts on WEB MD or Mayo Clinic as a reference/resource for patients usually suggested by physicians?
WebMD and the Mayo Clinic are two online medical services that doctors often recommend to their patients. These websites contain many medical information, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment choices. Although these resources may be helpful for patients to learn more about their ailments in general, they are not meant to substitute consultations with a doctor. For up-to-date and specific advice, patients should always speak with their doctors (Polley et al., 2010).
What are your thoughts on the importance of accurate medical information on the internet? i.e. symptoms, diagnosis, medications and their adverse events, etc….
The accuracy of online medical resources is crucial. Internet searches on patient symptoms, diagnoses, treatments, and side effects are common. However, the information must be taken from trustworthy sources and be supported by proof. Misdiagnosis, improper treatment, and even injury to patients are all possible outcomes of medical information that is inaccurate or deceptive. Healthcare practitioners have a critical role in directing patients to trustworthy internet resources and ensuring that patients properly comprehend and use the information they discover there (Polley et al., 2010).
References
Polley, L., Hoberg, E., & Kutz, S. (2010). Climate change, parasites, and shifting boundaries. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica, 52(S1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1751-0147-52-s1-s1
Vazirani, A. A., O’Donoghue, O., Brindley, D., & Meinert, E. (2020). Blockchain vehicles for efficient medical record management. NPJ Digital Medicine, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-019-0211-0
Zhang, P., White, J., Schmidt, D. C., Lenz, G., & Rosenbloom, S. T. (2018). Fhirchain: applying blockchain to securely and scalably share clinical data. Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal, 16, 267-278. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csbj.2018.07.004
