Accepted for/Published in: Interactive Journal of Medical Research
Date Submitted: Sep 13, 2022
Date Accepted: Mar 16, 2023
Evolution of health information sharing between healthcare organizations: the potential of non-fungible tokens (NFTs)
ABSTRACT
This study attempts to explain the development and progress of technology used for sharing health information across healthcare organizations (such as hospitals and physicians' offices). First, we describe the strengths and weaknesses of traditional sharing models, health information exchange (HIE), and blockchain-based HIE. Second, the potential use of nonfungible token (NFT) protocols in HIE models is proposed as the next possible move for information-sharing initiatives in healthcare. Besides some potential opportunities and distinguishing features (e.g., ownability, verifiability, and incentivization), we identify uncertainty and risks associated with NFTs application, such as the lack of a dedicated regulatory framework for legal ownership of digital patient data. This paper is among the first steps to discussing the potential of NFTs in healthcare. The use of NFTs in HIE networks can generate a new stream of research for future studies. This study can provide practical insights into how technological foundations of information-sharing efforts in healthcare have developed and diversified from earlier forms.
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