web3 healthcare use cases and DLT solutions

Blockchain and Web3 are technologies that have the potential to revolutionize the healthcare industry. web3 healthcare offers a number of benefits and advantages that could improve the efficiency, security, and accessibility of healthcare services. Some potential use cases of these technologies in healthcare include:

Web3 healthcare use cases

Secure and transparent record keeping:

Blockchain technology, which allows for the creation of secure and immutable digital ledgers, could be used to store and manage electronic medical records (EMRs) in a way that is secure, transparent, and easily accessible. This would allow healthcare providers to access and update patient records in real-time, without the need for centralized servers or intermediaries.

Improved data sharing and interoperability:

Web3 technologies, such as smart contracts and decentralized applications (DApps), could be used to enable secure and seamless data sharing between different healthcare providers and systems. This would allow for the creation of interoperable healthcare networks, where patient data can be accessed and shared across different organizations and systems.

Enhanced privacy and security:

IPFS, a decentralized file-sharing protocol, could be used to securely store and share sensitive medical data, such as diagnostic images or genetic information. IPFS allows for the creation of encrypted and distributed data storage networks, which can provide enhanced privacy and security compared to traditional centralized storage systems.

Reduced costs and improved access:

The use of blockchain and web3 technologies in healthcare could also help to reduce costs and improve access to healthcare services. For example, smart contracts could be used to automate the processing of insurance claims, reducing the need for manual review and reducing the risk of fraud. Blockchain-based systems could also be used to create decentralized healthcare networks, allowing patients to access care from a wider range of providers and reducing the need for expensive and centralized services.

These are just some of the potential use cases of web3, blockchain, smart contracts, and IPFS in healthcare. As these technologies continue to develop and mature, it is likely that they will be used in a wider range of applications and services in the healthcare industry, offering significant benefits and advantages for patients, providers, and other stakeholders.

If you are looking to apply web3 or DLT tech for your healthcare needs, you would be better off contacting a blockchain technology consultant such as Dappros, one of our partners or finding a good blockchain developer that is local to you. In order to save time and money, however, you can learn here about important technology solutions that you may be willing to use such as:

1. Blockchain-as-a-service platforms for web3 Healthcare

Blockchain-as-a-service (BaaS) is a cloud-based service that allows organizations to build, deploy, and manage blockchain applications without the need to develop and maintain their own infrastructure. BaaS providers typically offer a range of tools and services, including blockchain platform software, development frameworks, and consulting services, that can help organizations quickly and easily create and deploy blockchain applications. Our company Dappros offers its own Ethereum EVM-based blockchain-as-a-service platform that allows healthcare companies and startups looking to disrupt the healthcare sector to leverage web3 and blockchain technologies while significantly reducing the time and cost investments required.

You may learn more about our blockchain-as-a-service offering as well as about other blockchain-as-a-service providers by reading the articles in the “Blockchain-as-a-service” category of our blog.

Some things that are important to have in mind when choosing a blockchain-as-a-service platform for your healthcare needs are:

HIPAA compliance. Your provider should have an understanding of the relevant regulatory and compliance requirements as well as be able to offer ready technology and operational processes solutions to achieve said compliance. This includes, for example, providing encryption at rest (both server and client) and in transit, storing patient identifiable data separate from other data, ensuring that technical support staff, processes, and SLA contracts reflect the required compliance requirements, etc.
Cloud vs On-premise. Check with your CIO / cybersecurity team whether your company policies allow using cloud platforms. In case of a negative answer, this limits your choice to those platforms that support on-premise deployment. N.B. our Dappros Platform supports both cloud and on-premises deployments.
Abstraction level, ecosystem, and applications infrastructure offered. Many blockchain-as-a-service providers focus on the low level: the infrastructure. This means your technology team is supposed to understand the principles of blockchain / DLT and will have to manage the low-level things such as deploying blockchain nodes or choosing consensus mechanisms which might be something you don’t want to waste your team’s time and resources on. You may want to learn a bit more to understand whether the blockchain-as-a-service provider is closer to infrastructure-as-a-service (low level, more effort required from your team) or platform-as-a-service (high level, less effort required). It is also important to understand whether the provider you are considering is able to offer integration and ready-made frontend applications such, for example, as health wallets.

2. Health wallet engines

It is likely you will need a frontend application for your project unless you only plan to use DLT for low-level infrastructure purposes such as storing documents in IPFS where you already have existing server-side and client-side applications developed. In a typical scenario, however, a healthcare company is looking to develop a new mobile and/or web or desktop web3-powered application such as a health wallet. This means your team will require several months to develop one even when using a ready blockchain-as-a-service infrastructure. Makes sense to leverage an existing offering from your blockchain technology provider if they do offer something like a low-code customizable health wallet engine. N.B.: Dappros offers Ethora engine which some of our customers use successfully for their Health Wallet solutions. Ethora is available under both open-source and closed-source commercial licenses covering iOS, Android, and Web platforms. Using a provider that offers both blockchain-as-a-service infrastructure and a ready health wallet engine will save you a huge amount of funds and integration efforts. Read more about health wallet applications below.

Health wallet applications (mobile and web)

A health documents wallet application is a software program that allows users to store and manage their health-related documents and information on their mobile devices. These applications are typically designed to be easy to use and accessible, allowing users to quickly and easily access their health records whenever and wherever they need them.

Health documents wallet applications typically provide a range of features and capabilities, including the ability to:

Store and organize health-related documents, such as medical records, test results, and vaccination records.
Share health information with healthcare providers, caregivers, or other individuals as needed.
Access emergency health information, such as allergies or medications, in case of an emergency.
Track and monitor health data, such as weight, blood pressure, or exercise, over time. N.B. this requires integration with relevant sensors, smartphone OS functions or a manual/AI-assisted entry by the user.
Connect to health-related services and resources, such as telemedicine or health insurance providers.
Some health wallet applications (e.g. those based on our Ethora engine) offer additional features such as doctor-patient messaging, sharing profiles and individual documents via QR codes and hyperlinks, on-chain document provenance, gamification via tokenization, use of chatbots facilitating data entry, consulting users on health matters and reminding about medications, etc.

Health document wallet applications are becoming increasingly popular, as they offer a convenient and secure way for individuals to manage and access their health information. These applications can help users to better understand and manage their health, and they can also help healthcare providers to deliver more efficient and effective care. Some of the potential benefits of health documents wallet applications include:

Improved access to health information: Health documents wallet applications can provide users with quick and easy access to their health records, allowing them to review and update their information whenever and wherever they need to. This can help users to better understand and manage their health, and it can also help them to make informed decisions about their care.
Enhanced privacy and security: Health documents wallet applications typically use encryption and other security measures to protect users’ health information. This can help to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive health data, and it can also help to reduce the risk of identity theft or other forms of fraud.
Improved communication and collaboration: Health documents wallet applications can facilitate communication and collaboration between users and their healthcare providers. For example, users can share their health information with their doctors, insurance providers, family members, etc.

web3 healthcare use cases and distributed ledger technology solutions