University Researchers Propose Blockchain Clinical Data

Researchers and/or academics hailing from the University of California, San Francisco, have reportedly proposed the idea of utilizing and/or sharing medical data by leveraging a blockchain-powered system. Interestingly, there is an article detailing their research and has been published by the international research journal called Nature.

Developing Blockchain-Based System

The researchers have started developing a system powered by the blockchain technology, which is specifically designed to significantly improve the traceability. At the same time, this system would have the ability to enhance the immutability of collected clinical data. Through this method, the researchers are confident that the data gathered can become more trustworthy.

Apart from the aforementioned, the blockchain-powered system is looking to pave the way to acquire advanced methods intended for reporting adverse events. These events, in particular, could likely happen during research; hence, it could be crucial in improving the management of medical record.

During the trial, the researchers were said to have launched a web-based portal. The latter, in particular, is said to be accessible to all participants and comes with a real, sophisticated clinical trial dataset. This has the ability to facilitate the very interaction concerning clinical investigators and patients. The authors also looked for ways to test a handful of malicious attacks directed towards data integrity accompanied with real-world medical data.

Once a specific was performed and completed, all associated data was immediately recorded onto a new block. From there, it was added together and even hashed through the utilization of the titular SHA256 algorithm.

Detailing The Platform’s Process

As far as the data storage of the blockchain is concerned, it is expected to be accomplished through the method of duplication and distribution. By doing so, the researchers are confident it would be successful in physically separating machines and the likes of data warehouses. From there, the regulators will have no difficulty managing everything.

If a user is looking to find a way to modify the already presented information – or even the idea of simply correcting a single error – the system has the ability to allow him to perform an update. This process can be done by simply submitting a new transaction, but this time, it should come with the corrected data. What is interesting is the fact that this process can be done without the need to overwrite the old data.

There is no denying that the blockchain technology has already been used and applied by a good number of healthcare-related companies. Just earlier this month, the Canadian unit of American