Architectural solutions for improving transparency, data quality, and security in eHealth systems by designing and adding blockchain modules, while maintaining interoperability: the eHDSI network case

The main purpose and research question of the paper are to investigate the practical application of the eHealth Digital Service Infrastructure (eHDSI) network, with a specific focus on ePrescription (eP), eDispensation (eD), and Patient Summary (PS) use cases, in order to address issues related to transparency, data integrity, privacy, and security in cross-border transactions within this network. The ultimate goal is to determine whether blockchain (BC) technology can effectively resolve these issues without violating General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) regulations or hindering network interoperability. The method employed in this study involves conducting empirical research on eHealth networks to propose the incorporation of BC modules in-to network’s architecture and services aimed at enhancing and addressing transparency, data integrity, security, GDPR compliance, and maintaining interoperability challenges. Graphical illustrations intended for implementation on private BC networks are offered as a guide for BC architects and DevOps professionals. The paper explains how BC’s ledger records transactions and data exchanges transparently. Smart Contracts (SmC) enforce data sharing agreements, ensuring interoperability standards. Access control, encryption, and key pairs enhance security for eHDSI. This integration aims for tamper-proof, auditable transaction history, ensuring data quality. It details GDPR-compliant BC architecture with features like data anonymization, consent management, and mechanisms for data rectification and deletion. The paper concludes by summarizing the key findings of the research. It highlights the role of BC technology in enhancing transparency, security, and interoperability within the eHealth domain while addressing challenges related to data quality and privacy protection. It also acknowledges the need for innovative solutions to align with GDPR requirements. The paper suggests that the insights and recommendations derived from the study can be applied to other industries with similar characteristics, such as high centralization and the exchange of personal data across borders. Overall, the study emphasizes the practical value of BC-supported systems in real-world applications within the eHealth sector.