Blockchain Applications in Core Healthcare Services: Patient Data, Research, and Institutional Processes

Blockchain technology is creating a significant transformation in the field of health sciences by providing data security, transparency and efficiency. This technology offers innovative solutions in areas such as securely storing and sharing patient data, protecting data integrity in clinical research, and improving supply chain management. It also provides reliable and traceable processes in health insurance, billing, procurement processes of pharmaceuticals and medical products, telemedicine and digital health services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the effective use of blockchain technology in the reliability and accuracy of epidemiological data has attracted attention. However, in order for blockchain technology to reach its full potential in healthcare, technical infrastructure needs to be strengthened, sectoral collaborations need to be increased, and legal regulations need to be clarified. This study aims to examine the current and potential applications of blockchain technology in the field of health sciences and evaluate how a roadmap can be created in the future. It provides a comprehensive assessment for researchers in the field. In the study, first of all, Web of Science publications were taken as the center for determining the application areas and general blockchain applications in the field of health sciences, and additional searches were carried out on Google Scholar through the application framework determined to strengthen the discussion. The thirteen topics identified were discussed in detail for researchers in the field and evaluated in the conclusion section.