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Opportunities for Using Blockchain Technology in e-Health: e-Prescribing in Germany

  • Juergen Seitz
  • Nilmini Wickramasinghe
Chapter
First Online:
Part of the Healthcare Delivery in the Information Age book series (Healthcare Delivery Inform. Age)

Abstract

Healthcare has been a noted laggard when it comes to adopting technology solutions; however, this time lag appears to be decreasing more recently, in particular, when we look at blockchain technology and its embracement in healthcare. Examples of blockchain technology in e-health are to date focused mostly on electronic health records. The process of electronic prescriptions and medication management has not as yet been considered. We contend that this process offers a variety of opportunities for automatization and digitalization. Further, there is a significant potential for cost savings for various stakeholders not only the insurance companies. At the moment, research on blockchain technology seems to be technology driven. We suggest that to be truly beneficial, further research needs to also focus on patients’ acceptance as well as major barriers and facilitators.

Keywords

Blockchain Smart contract e-Health Electronic prescription 
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Copyright information

© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020

Authors and Affiliations

  • Juergen Seitz
    • 1
  • Nilmini Wickramasinghe
    • 2
    • 3
  1. 1.Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University HeidenheimHeidenheim an der BrenzGermany
  2. 2.Epworth HealthCareRichmondAustralia
  3. 3.Swinburne University of TechnologyHawthornAustralia

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