Healthcare data management using blockchain-enabled sensor networks

This chapter explores the innovative integration of blockchain technology with sensor networks to revolutionize healthcare data management. The current healthcare sector faces significant challenges in managing vast amounts of sensitive data generated by increasingly sophisticated sensor networks. Traditional systems often struggle with issues such as data integrity, security, and privacy. This chapter delves into how blockchain technology, known for its decentralization, immutability, and transparency, can offer groundbreaking solutions to these challenges.We begin by examining the current landscape of healthcare data management, emphasizing the role and limitations of sensor networks in data collection. We then introduce blockchain technology, elucidating its core features and potential benefits in healthcare data management. The chapter progresses to a critical analysis of how blockchain can be seamlessly integrated with sensor networks, enhancing data security and integrity while ensuring real-time access and compliance with regulatory standards.Furthermore, we address the technical, ethical, and regulatory challenges in implementing blockchain-enabled sensor networks in healthcare. The chapter presents case studies and real-world examples, highlighting both successes and hurdles in this domain. We also discuss future trends, including the impact of artificial intelligence and machine learning in optimizing data analysis and patient care.