Blockchain Technology Impacts on Electronic Health Records: Literature Review Table (2021 - 2026)
Description
Between 2021 and 2026, blockchain technology has emerged as a transformative force in electronic health record (EHR) management, fundamentally addressing long-standing challenges of security, privacy, interoperability, and patient control. The literature reveals a mature and rapidly evolving field where blockchain has transitioned from theoretical propositions to practical frameworks and implementations. The core impacts identified are the following: 1. Enhanced Security and Privacy 2. Patient-Centric Control 3. Interoperability Across Systems 4. Performance and Scalability Advancements 5. Integration with Emerging Technologies Key Challenges Remaining Despite significant progress, the literature identifies persistent challenges: scalability limitations (Ethereum processes only ~15 transactions per second), regulatory conflicts (GDPR's "right to be forgotten" vs blockchain immutability), energy consumption concerns (proof-of-work systems), lack of standardised EHR data formats, and the absence of fully implemented real-world compatible systems. Future Directions (2024–2026) Research priorities include cross-chain EHR transactions, integration with calendar applications for alert systems, national ID-based patient identification (e.g., Aadhar, PAN), edge computing to reduce latency, AI/ML for fraudulent data detection, and developing governance models that balance decentralisation with regulatory compliance. Blockchain technology has matured from a promising concept to a viable solution for EHR security and management. The literature from 2021–2026 demonstrates tangible frameworks, performance benchmarks, and implementation strategies that collectively point toward a future where patients control their health data, providers securely share information across platforms, and healthcare systems achieve unprecedented levels of trust, transparency, and efficiency.
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Steps to reproduce
Articles were manually selected from 2021 through to 2026 and reviewed manually for authenticity and originality.
Institutions
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and TechnologyAshanti, Kumasi