Blockchain technology, best known for powering cryptocurrencies, offers promising solutions for healthcare data management. Its decentralized, tamper-proof ledger could address longstanding challenges in sharing medical records securely across different providers and systems.

A blockchain-based health information exchange would give patients control over their medical data, allowing them to grant and revoke access as needed. This approach could improve care coordination while maintaining privacy and reducing administrative overhead.

Several pilot projects are exploring blockchain applications in healthcare, from pharmaceutical supply chain tracking to clinical trial data management. While technical and regulatory challenges remain, blockchain could fundamentally transform how health information is stored and shared.