How Does Web3 Improve the Healthcare Infrastructure?

Nidhi Thakur

11 Apr 2023

There is no denying that today, the healthcare industry has reached new heights of advancement and efficiency. However, it’s facing its share of challenges still. For instance, patient data stored by healthcare institutes today in general is vulnerable to cyber-attacks and breaches. 

Additionally, the fragmentation of healthcare systems has made it difficult to extract and share patient data. As if that’s not enough, the cost of healthcare services is also ridiculously expensive in many regions.

The healthcare industry faces challenges that without a doubt seem overwhelming, Fortunately, Web3 is set to provide some relief. Let’s understand how it can improve the healthcare infrastructure and help people live healthier lives, but first:

What’s Web3?

Web3, also known as the decentralized web, refers to the next generation of the internet. It is a peer-to-peer network that operates on the principles of decentralization, transparency, and security.

This technology is built on blockchain technology, which is a distributed ledger technology that provides an immutable and tamper-proof record of all transactions.

The following are some of the ways Web3 is improving the healthcare infrastructure:

Secure Patient Data Management

One of the significant challenges facing the healthcare industry is the secure management of patient data. The current centralized system for managing patient data is vulnerable to all kinds of cyber-attacks which can lead to the exposure of sensitive patient information and invite hefty penalties by regulations such as HIPPA.

That’s why many healthcare software development companies use Web3 technology to offer a decentralized solution for managing patient data.

Blockchain technology, which is the foundation of Web3, offers an immutable and tamper-proof record of all transactions.

This means that patient data can be stored securely and accessed only by authorized individuals. The following are a few ways Web3 can assist with secure patient data management:

• Decentralized Storage: Decentralized storage solutions, such as InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) and Storj, enable patients to store their data on a network of nodes rather than a single server. This makes it more difficult for hackers to access and steal data since they would need to compromise multiple nodes.
• Smart Contracts: Smart contracts are self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement between the patient and healthcare provider being directly written into lines of code. These contracts can help to eliminate disputes and ensure that data is only accessed by authorized parties.
• Patient-Controlled Data: Healthcare software companies can use Web3 technologies to enable patients to have more control over their data. Patients can choose which healthcare providers have access to their data, and they can revoke access at any time. This helps to ensure that patient's privacy and confidentiality are protected.
• Immutable Audit Trails: Blockchain technology allows for the creation of an immutable audit trail that records every access to a patient's data. If and when it’s used, a patient’s data can be accessed only when necessary and any inappropriate access can be traced back to the responsible party.
• Secure Data Sharing: Custom healthcare software development services using Web3 technologies can enable secure data sharing between healthcare providers. Providers can access the necessary data to make informed decisions without compromising patients' privacy.

Enhanced Interoperability

The healthcare industry is fragmented, with different organizations and systems using different technologies and standards. This fragmentation makes it challenging for healthcare providers to share patient data across different systems. 

Web3 technology can enhance interoperability by creating a common language and standard for exchanging data. It promotes the use of open standards, such as APIs and data formats, which can help ensure that different systems and platforms can communicate with each other effectively. This can lead to greater interoperability and data exchange between different systems.

Healthcare software developers can also use Web3 to help facilitate interoperability with legacy systems, which are often outdated and incompatible with newer systems.

By utilizing open standards and decentralized protocols, it can enable legacy systems to interact with newer systems and platforms, allowing for greater efficiency and collaboration.

Also Read: Interoperability in Healthcare

Streamlined Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are an essential aspect of healthcare and they require huge investments in time and resources. Web3 can streamline the clinical trial process by providing a secure and transparent platform for data collection and analysis. 

By offering cryptocurrency and blockchain-based payment systems, it can help streamline the process of paying patients, researchers, and other stakeholders involved in clinical trials.

Furthermore, by eliminating intermediaries and reducing transaction costs, these systems can help speed up the payment process, while also reducing administrative overhead.

Decentralized Healthcare Marketplaces

The healthcare industry is notoriously expensive, and many patients struggle to access affordable healthcare services. Web3-based healthcare software solutions can enable the creation of decentralized healthcare marketplaces, where patients can directly connect with healthcare providers and negotiate prices. The patients can also use cryptocurrency to pay for healthcare services.

Decentralized healthcare marketplaces and related healthcare software development services can provide patients with greater control over their healthcare choices and can reduce the cost of healthcare.

Improved Supply Chain Management

The healthcare industry relies on the timely and efficient delivery of medical supplies, equipment, and pharmaceuticals. This is again where Web3-linked software development for healthcare can help by improving the supply chain management and creating a transparent and secure platform for tracking the movement of goods.

Decentralized applications built on Web3 technology can provide real-time tracking and monitoring of the supply chain, which can reduce the risk of fraud and increase the efficiency of the supply chain.

Business entities can also use smart contracts to track medical supplies from production to delivery, and reduce the risk of counterfeiting and theft. This can improve the quality and safety of medical supplies and reduce costs.

Also Read: Why Healthcare Providers Are Turning to Outsourced RCM and Medical Billing

Conclusion

Web3 technology has the potential to revolutionize the healthcare industry by improving the security and interoperability of patient data, streamlining clinical trials, and assisting in many other ways.

As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, Web3 technology is likely to play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of healthcare infrastructure and the way healthcare software development services are offered.