Exploring Interoperability and Decentralized Applications for Personal Health Data using FHIR Standards
Dionysius Sentausa, David Habsara Hareva · 2023
This study explores the integration of Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) standards in a system designed for secure and efficient management of Personal Health Records (PHRs). PHRs are crucial for patients to have control over their healthcare information and make informed decisions. Ensuring the security of this sensitive data is vital, and blockchain technology offers robust protection. However, the high cost of storing PHRs on the blockchain has led us to investigate the use of the Interplanetary File System (IPFS) alongside blockchain. Our proposed system comprises a PHR Decentralized Application (DAPPS), IPFS, Metamask, and the Ethereum Blockchain. Users input their PHR data through the DAPPS, which is stored in IPFS, and its location is registered on the Ethereum Blockchain via Metamask. Comprehensive testing validates the system's performance, with success across all test cases, confirming the feasibility of utilizing the Interplanetary File System and Ethereum Blockchain for secure PHR management while adhering to FHIR standards, fostering interoperability in healthcare data exchange.