Blockchain in healthcare: A systematic literature review, synthesizing framework and future research agenda

• Published in: Computers in industry Vol. 122; p. 103290
• Main Authors: Tandon, Anushree, Dhir, Amandeep, Islam, A.K.M. Najmul, Mäntymäki, Matti
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.11.2020
• Subjects: Blockchain; Healthcare; Medical data; Systematic literature review; Medical data; Healthcare; Blockchain; Systematic literature review
• ISSN: 0166-3615; 1872-6194
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compind.2020.103290

•A systematic literature review (SLR) is utilized to explore applications of blockchain in healthcare.•Forty-three studies were reviewed to profile and organize the current intellectual capital in this domain.•The contributions highlighted to enhance blockchain-based e-healthcare ecosystems.•The implications suggest blockchain may advance medical diagnostics, cybercrime, and policy making.•An integrated framework was developed to illustrate the primary thematic areas for future research. This study presents a systematic literature review (SLR) of research on blockchain applications in the healthcare domain. The review incorporated 42 articles presenting state-of-the-art knowledge on current implications and gaps pertaining to the use of blockchain technology for improving healthcare processes. The SLR findings indicate that blockchain is being used to develop novel and advanced interventions to improve the prevalent standards of handling, sharing, and processing of medical data and personal health records. The application of blockchain technology is undergoing a conceptual evolution in the healthcare industry where it has added significant value through improved efficiency, access control, technological advancement, privacy protection, and security of data management processes. The findings also suggest that the extant limitations primarily pertain to model performance, as well as the constraints and costs associated with implementation. An integrated framework is presented to address potential areas wherein future researchers can contribute significant value, including addressing concerns regarding regulatory compliance, system architecture, and data protection. Finally, the SLR suggests that future research can facilitate the widespread deployment of blockchain applications to address critical issues related to medical diagnostics, legal compliance, avoiding fraud, and improving patient care in cases of remote monitoring or emergencies.