Blockchain and IoT Integration in Healthcare: A Holistic Review of Applications, Barriers, and Emerging Directions

The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies into modern healthcare systems has led to significant improvements in patient monitoring, data sharing, and remote diagnostics. Despite these benefits, the handling of sensitive medical data through connected devices presents serious concerns related to privacy, data integrity, and system security. Blockchain technology, with its decentralized and tamper-proof characteristics, offers a promising framework to address these issues. This paper investigates how blockchain can enhance the safety, transparency, and efficiency of IoT-based healthcare systems. Key focus areas include secure management of electronic health records, reliable remote monitoring, and streamlined medical supply chains. The review also examines current limitations, such as scalability challenges and regulatory hurdles, while identifying future directions for research aimed at building more secure and trustworthy healthcare networks.