The rise of tech in healthcare has created new opportunities for improving the quality of life for patients. Two of these innovations are the internet of bodies and blockchain systems. Through the use of blockchain and connected health monitoring devices, doctors can collect and analyze data about their patients. The security of the blockchain is very important when it comes to integrating with the internet of things.
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Internet of Bodies (IoB) Working in Healthcare
The rise of the internet of bodies has led to the creation of new tools that allow healthcare providers to monitor and improve the quality of their patients’ health. As these tools are combined, they can help improve the health of their patients.
Due to the role of the internet of bodies in healthcare, it is expected that the data collected by these tools will be used for better treatment and monitoring. For instance, by analyzing the electrical currents in the body, the tools can help identify medical conditions such as diabetes.
One of the most impressive innovations in the IoB space is the development of digital pills, which are wearable devices that can record and transmit data about a person’s medical condition. Scientists at Proteus are currently working on a pill that can help record and transmit data about a person’s treatment for cancer.
The increasing number of connected devices has allowed healthcare providers to collect and analyze data about their patients. This data can then be used to improve the quality of care by analyzing the various factors that affect a person’s health. Unfortunately, many of the IoB devices currently available are not secure enough to prevent unauthorized access. This is why blockchain is being used to protect these devices.
Blockchain Used in Healthcare
Due to its unique structure, blockchain is being used to secure the data collected by IoB devices. This technology can also help streamline the process of collecting and analyzing the data. Unlike cryptocurrencies, blockchain is a decentralized data model that uses cryptographic links to store and transmit data. This technology makes it incredibly difficult for hackers to alter or steal the data stored on the blockchain.
Through blockchain, healthcare providers have been able to securely transfer data between themselves and their patients. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare organizations were able to share vital medical information with emergency responders. This helped improve the quality of care for the infected individuals.
Due to its decentralized nature, blockchain is also capable of transferring data between parties without requiring the involvement of a central authority. This ensures that the data is held by only the relevant parties.
Benefits of Using IoB Data
1. Useful
Through the use of blockchain technology, medical researchers can now collect and analyze data about patients’ medical conditions. This will allow them to improve their understanding of the conditions that they can diagnose and treat.
2. Secure
Due to the nature of the data collected by IoB devices, securing them is very important. However, using blockchain can help prevent hackers from accessing the data stored on these devices. Instead of attacking a database, most hackers would prefer to steal the data using a small-scale attack.
3. Transparent
The data collected by IoB devices is stored on a blockchain node, which prevents it from being altered. This ensures that the information is kept secure and available to the people who need it most.
The combination of blockchain and IoB devices could improve the quality of care for patients worldwide. As more medical professionals integrate this technology into their practices, it’s up to them to determine the best way to use it. With the help of distributed ledgers and smart sensors, maintaining the integrity of data collected by IoB devices is now easier.